Durham’s relaxed cannabis proposals a ‘good idea’

Former chief constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary and international drugs policy adviser Tom Lloyd has praised a Durham initiative that allows cannabis users to grow and smoke small amounts of the drug without being prosecuted.

Durham police and crime commissioner (PCC) Ron Hogg’s proposals mean that while organised commercial cannabis production will continue to be actively prosecuted, people who grow and smoke small amounts for personal use will not be targeted unless they are being “blatant” or the force receives a complaint.

Mr Lloyd said he thought the plans were “a good idea” and that drug prohibition is a “hugely costly, counter-productive and harmful failure”.

“In effect police activity is irrelevant to the level of drug use. We need to look to other methods rather than costly law enforcement to reduce harm. The harm is associated with consuming cannabis is very low for most people who use it,” he said.

“Serious and organised crime is supported by drug prohibition as it gives criminals control of a hugely profitable market. Ultimately we need to stop wasting resources on kicking doors down when people are doing something privately in their own homes – we have to realise that prohibition actually creates criminal market.”

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “Cannabis is an illegal drug in the UK and as such we as a police force take the production, distribution and use of it very seriously.

“Our approach is that we continue to proactively pursue those who make, sell or use it. As well as enforcing the law we look for alternative methods to prevent or reduce drug use, including offering support and advice so offenders can change their behaviour rather than face criminal prosecution.”

One of the alternatives is the Checkpoint programme, which offers offenders an opportunity to engage in a four-month long contract as an alternative to prosecution. If the subject successfully completes it no further action will be taken.