UK News: Courts could be told not to jail cannabis dealers

[Pondlife]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Courts could be told not to jail cannabis dealers

By JAMES SLACK
Last updated at 23:36pm on 4th December 2007

Cannabis dealers would escape jail under proposed sentencing rules for magistrates.

Until now, dealers selling even small quantities have faced up to 14 years in prison.

But in future those convicted of dealing Class C drugs - such as cannabis - could instead be given community orders. Only big-time cannabis dealers would face jail.

No jail time: Under proposed sentencing rules for magistrates those convicted of dealing Class C drugs - such as cannabis - could instead be given community orders rather than prison sentences

The rules are in a draft document prepared by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. They could be adopted as early as February.

Labour downgraded the status of cannabis from Class B to Class C in 2003, which means those caught with the drug for personal use are unlikely to be arrested. At the time, ministers said the switch would mean police had more time to chase down drug dealers.

The guidelines also say those caught with large quantities of Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine should no longer be jailed if the drugs are for personal use.

Criticising the proposals, Tory justice spokesman Nick Herbert said: "What kind of signal will this send to society about our attitude to drugs?"