Overview

The Drugs (Reclassification) Bill proposes to reclassify cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means that the penalties for possession and supply would be less severe.

Description

This bill amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Specifically, it removes cannabis and its derivatives (cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives) from Schedule 2 (Class B drugs) and inserts them into Schedule 3 (Class C drugs). This reclassification alters the legal penalties associated with cannabis possession and supply. The exact nature of the reduced penalties would depend on existing legislation for Class C drugs.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated within the provided text. Reclassification could lead to reduced spending on law enforcement related to cannabis offences, but may also increase costs associated with managing potential increases in cannabis use.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Individuals who use or possess cannabis: They would face reduced penalties for possession.
• Individuals who supply cannabis: They would face reduced penalties for supply.
• Law enforcement agencies: Their workload related to cannabis offences might change.
• Healthcare professionals: Treatment and support services for cannabis-related issues might need adjustment.

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