An English clerk has all but legalized weed

A big publicity stunt for an original initiative: Ron Hogg, a councilor for the city of Durham in northeastern England, announced that he would no longer prosecute people who grow cannabis for personal use, or those who smoke in a «discreet» manner. Instead, its police forces will focus on the millions of pounds amassed by organized crime, drug dealers, and street gangs. For England, this is one of the first and most significant steps toward formal decriminalization.

The Crown Prosecution Service still classifies cannabis cultivation as a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Mr. Hogg told the newspaper The Independent that, although he does not believe cannabis will become legal in England, his police officers would no longer prosecute small-scale growers and discreet users.

«Our goal is to reduce violence. And since cannabis causes certain harms, we remain committed to preventing people from using this drug. But we would rather see our resources directed toward treating drug users and reducing the number of victims of cannabis-related crimes as well as recidivism.»

His statement followed a recent comment by one of the Durham police chiefs who pointed out that investigating and prosecuting drug users was a «waste of police time.» Mr. Hogg also met with pro-cannabis activists in his region, who are organized under the association Teeside Cannabis Club. This cooperation with the local cannabis-growing community will have no impact on efforts to combat organized crime and the industrial cultivation of marijuana. Mr. Hogg also took the opportunity to add that if he happened to come across someone smoking a joint on Durham’s main street, that person could still be arrested.

Mr. Hogg has served in the English police force for more than 30 years. His election campaign was supported by the Labour Party. News of his initiative reached the ears of Home Secretary Theresa May, who fears that his idea might inspire others to follow suit. The following figures might go some way toward reassuring Ms. May:

• The volume of cannabis seized between 2012 and 2014 increased by 45%, but the number of plants seized during the same period decreased by 11%, to just over 450,000
• 90%: Raids against «plantations» involved no more than 50 feet

Most people who grow cannabis are therefore not involved in organized crime, even though, if the plants are taller than 5 feet, the grower is clearly not doing so for personal use.

The Ministry of Justice, however, stood firm in reiterating that « grow cannabis for personal use is illegal, and those who do so are subject to legal penalties. The government has no plans to cannabis legalization »in Great Britain because there is scientific and medical evidence that cannabis can harm citizens' physical and mental health."