Written question asked by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Cannabis: Crime

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department has provided to police forces on the appropriateness of issuing (a) warnings, (b) cautions and (c) penalty notices for disorder for the possession and supply of cannabis.

Answer: [holding answer 3 November 2008]: The Home Office has not issued guidance for any of these disposals in relation to the possession and supply of cannabis. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) issued updated guidance on dealing with cannabis possession in January 2007. Guidance on the use of the simple caution is set out in Home Office circular 16/2008. This is general guidance and does not deal specifically with drugs offences. Penalty Notices for disorder are not currently a disposal option for cannabis offences. However, subject to parliamentary approval, they could become part of the proposed escalation policy for cannabis possession.

Secondary information