John Howson

Thank you for your email and briefing paper. As you acknowledge:
The Lib Dems are supporting the creation of a full Canadian style Cannabis economy Medical cannabis where prescribed should be available to all regardless of their income, but that is a NHS issue not a PCC matter per se.
However, if cannabis is available in such a way, then the question of why an individual would want to grow it for themselves arises. In this case, perhaps the same rules should be applied to growing cannabis as to creating any addictive substance, including all types of alcohol.
I agree that stop and search for drugs is disproportionately aimed at certain ethic groups, and that 80% of stop and search in Thames Valley are for drug searches. The use of s60 is now back at levels last seen under the Labour government of Blain and Brown. There are issues here for the PCC to discuss with the Chief Constable
More important, as you mention, is the issue of drugs and county Lines, and that needs to be tracked through prevention at the start of the dealing chain. The recent Serious Case Review in Oxfordshire reveals why this is such an important issue. You can read the Report at https://www.oscb.org.uk/oscb-publishes-a-child-safeguarding-practice-review-concerning-jacob/
This is clearly an issue, if elected, where a discussion of operational priorities with the Chief Constable would be appropriate.