Cannabis

Class:
On the 29th of January, the Government reclassified cannabis from a CLASS B drug to a CLASS C drug...

This means that the Government have acknowledged that it is not AS harmful as other Class B drugs (like Speed) but it will still be illegal to possess, supply or grow it.

The maximum prison sentence for possession has changed from 5 years to 2 years, fines and other non-custodial (not in prison) sentences, like community service will still happen too.

However, SUPPLYING cannabis (or any other Class C drug) can result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Supply includes: buying for your friends, passing a joint around friends and so on.

What happens if you get caught with Cannabis?
For a first offence of POSSESSION, young people (under 18) WILL BE ARRESTED, taken to a police station and given a formal warning or reprimand. Any further offences will lead to a final warning or a charge, after that the 'YOUNG OFFENDER' will be made to go to the Youth Offending Team to arrange a 'rehabilitation' programme to prevent them from reoffending.

Other names:
Pot, dope, grass, puff, ganja, weed, herb, spliff, marijuana, hashish, blow, hemp, draw, smoke, joint, skunk and tack.

Effects:
Helps some people to relax and heightens appreciation of colour and sound. Psychological dependency may arise from using cannabis.

Other effects include:
Lack of co-ordination, giggling, dilated pupils and red eye. It can bring on paranoia, anxiety and depression, as well as all the dangers of cancer that smoking can bring.

What to look for:
Brown or greenish tobacco-like form with leaves, stalks and seeds, or a solid brown mass called 'hashish' or 'hash'. Looks like dried herbs. Also look out for butt ends of hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), large cigarette papers and an herbal smell of burned leaves.
Someone who's been smoking a lot will have bloodshot eyes, a dry mouth and may well have their head in the fridge. Hunger pangs are known as 'getting the munchies'.

Other info:
Cannabis is a plant form and can be smoked or eaten. It is dangerous to drive under the influence of cannabis, as it effects judgement and co-ordination.

FACT:
Cannabis is the most common illegal drug in South Tyneside. Skunk has heavier effects, as it is usually 2-3 times stronger than normal cannabis. Often when using skunk, hallucinations can take place.

Law:

• The maximum sentence for possessing cannabis is 2 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
• The maximum sentence for supplying cannabis (which includes passing a joint to a friend) is 14 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
• It is illegal to grow cannabis or to allow premises you are responsible for to be used for smoking cannabis.