Over the pond, medical marijuana / cannabis has received a lot of press attention recently. This week, media coverage reached saturation-point when the U.S. Justice Department called a halt to raids on state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and individuals who prescribe or consume marijuana for medical use.
While medical marijuana use is now widely tolerated overseas - including in Canada, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Finland, Portugal, and fourteen states in America (i.e., Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) - it is still prohibited under drug laws in the UK.
Drug Laws in the UK
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
The Misuse of Drugs Act makes the production, supply and possession of cannabis - and a number of other controlled substances - illegal, except in clearly defined circumstances (see below).
The Act categorises drugs into three classes according to their relative
harmfulness: Class A; Class B; and Class C.
Marijuana / cannabis is categorised in Class B.
The penalty for possessing a Class B drug like cannabis is up to five years in prison &/or an unlimited fine; while the penalty for dealing is 14 years in prison &/or an unlimited fine.
Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001
Since most controlled substances have medical &/or scientific uses, there
are various exemptions to the general prohibition on possession and supply.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, substances are categorised under five schedules to determine how broad an exemption applies.
Marijuana / cannabis is categorised alongside coca leaf,
ecstasy, LSD, raw opium and magic mushrooms in Schedule 1.
Under this schedule, a drug can only be supplied, possessed or administered under a special licence issued by the Home Office.
These licences are rarely granted & reserved for advanced scientific research.
