WITH the drugs debate raging locally it was very interesting to pick up a national newspaper at the weekend which included a front page story about the Metropolitan Police relaxing procedures with regard to cannabis.

According to the article, if you are now caught by the Met in possession of cannabis it is no longer even a cautionable offence. Although I doubt the Government will want to make much noise about this, the actions of the Met have in effect "decriminalised" cannabis.

This is all well and good for our more enlightened countrymen in the capital but what about us here in Lancaster? A Londoner can now possess a small amount of cannabis for personal use knowing the only thing that can happen is that a policeman can take it off him and tell him he's a very naughty boy.

Meanwhile, here in medieval Lancaster, the same act could result in arrest, prosecution, a criminal record for drugs offences, the loss of your job, difficulty getting another job, poverty and a bleak future. This is not over the top - I've seen it happen! How can we have equality before the law if there's no equality in the enforcement of those laws? I'd love to have my name printed but because of some of the reactionary, redneck attitudes prevalent around here, I think it's best I remain anonymous.

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