UK Cannabis News

UK Cannabis News: I do not know about the wording of the laws other countries but here in the UK the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 states that the possession, cultivation / production, supply of cannabis and cannabis products containing THC without licence is unlawful.

Many f us believe it is important to explain that it is the human activities that are supposedly “controlled” by law, not cannabis (or other specified substances / drugs) not cannabis itself.

Cannabis is a substance / plant and cannot be legal or illegal, criminalised or decriminalised.

Nevertheless, campaigners, journalists, MP’s and even the legal profession, continue to use words such as “legalise cannabis” or “cannabis is illegal”. We believe those phrases can dehumanise the legal situation. It is people that are punished by the courts.

Recently several prosecutions for possession (one for 1 ounce and 1 for 6 ounces) have been dropped by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) after the Defence demanded that the CPS produce the “foundation evidence” upon which the inclusion of cannabis as a “controlled) and classified, scheduled drug in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and other legislation. The CPS, the ACMD (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drug) and the Home Office has said that such evidence no longer exists. This may mean that many cases will be dropped.

OUTLAW of Manchester has put together a strong legal team and case to bring a Judicial Review on the Misuse of Drugs Act and its application, and raised the money for the case and surety against its failure. It is possible that the Judicial Review with rule against the Misuse of Drugs Act making future prosecutions unworkable and previous prosecutions and punishments unlawful as far back as 1971. The case may be due in court within weeks.

Meanwhile, there has ben an increase in private prescriptions through private companies that charge consultation fees, evidence of diagnosis and two previously proposed treatments, selling cannabis bud at prices ranging from £5 to £15 per gram. Many people are now receiving prescription cannabis though the post. This is in addition to Sativex which is supplied to a very limited number of people at charges through the NHS.

Another incentive is the “CanCard” which is sold under similar criteria to people that wish to use cannabis to treat their ailments but are unable to obtain it on prescription. These cards are sold at £30 each plus an annual renewal fee of £20 – hugely profitable for the producers of CanCard. They claim that production of the card at point of stop and search will persuade police to use their power of discretion and not arrest, and claim that many police forces are working within this incentive. But whilst people receiving cannabis legally through private or NHS prescription would not need the card, the card does not cover cultivation or supply.

The WTU (We The Undersigned) attempt to bring legal action against the Government over the abuse of Human Rights when the MODA is applied has come to a halt due to lack of funding – the legal advisor has stated that such a case may cost up to £150,000 and the Government may ask the court to demand a surety against failure of the case to cover Government costs of up to £250,000. Also waiting to see the Outcome of the Outlaw case.

https://www.outlaw.ltd/

https://www.wtuhq.org/

 https://ccguide.org/news/default.php