. In line with GP policy, I fully support the legalisation of cannabis usage. Many people have experienced its medicinal and pain-relieving benefits. Dealing of concentrates remains a problem, but I consider that allowing people to grow their own plants for their own use will remove much of the profit from dealing cannabis and the resultant turf wars fuelled by high profits.
Green Party policy has long been to de-criminalise the use of cannabis, but not its dealing. In other words, to support the right of people to grow and use their own cannabis as they see fit, but not to sell surplus on. It’s dealing that leads to turf wars and violence. So, as PCC, I would urge the Chief Constable to halt the Stopping and Searching of people who are simply smoking cannabis in a public place, as long as their behaviour is not psychotic or anti-social in any way. The police time that is wasted giving cautions to cannabis users should be re-allocated to crime prevention, networking with people and gaining the public’s trust, rather then alienating people who pay for our police. The more people who trust the police, the more we feel we can approach the police when we notice something that isn’t right, and so the more effective crime prevention comes, when we all share the responsibility to keep our communities safe. This was the original vision of Robert “Booby” Peel who set up the police. If you Google Peel’s Principles you will see what an excellent Police Force should be aspiring to, and this, in essence, is what I’m standing for – a return to Peel’s principles.
Best wishes
Stuart Jackson