Laws in England

Just look it up bro.

 

I think it's something like 4 plants or under its a caution and a fine. But don't count me on that. The UK laws on Cannabis are terrible.

 

Yeah I'm pretty sure we can own a few plants and it's still charged as possession rather than intent to supply, but I'm not too sure on the overall rules over here :L One of my mates had a couple of warnings for possession before it went to fines and things like that though, so I guess in some places over here it's pretty lenient for just carrying small amounts.

 

The amount doesn't mean anything as far as I know. Obviously if you're renting out a flat and dedicating the only/master bedroom to a 5 year supply of cannabis plants, they're gonna know what you're up to, but if you just have a closet type grow in your home without traps set up at your door and pitbulls on guard they won't shout dealer just because you have 5 plants instead of 4. They look for stuff like huge contact lists, big scales, weapons, baggies (in bulk) etc.

As far as the punishments for growing, I'm not sure. For possession, these are the punishments (taken from FRANK, a bullshit drug "help" website to indoctrinate teenagers):

The 5 years thing is bullshit, I've never heard of anyone going to prison for 5 years for possession of cannabis. Police aren't too interested in some stupid teenager carrying a spliff in his pocket, they'd rather waste their time (and our money) on busting growers. In a documentary I was watching on unusual cannabis users there was an old lady who was at risk of losing her home if they caught her growing again. She grew for medical reasons, obviously, but it's not like that means anything to them.

 

I'm a criminology student, the current law was revised in February 2012, the new law states that the growing of up to 9 plants is now punished with caution/fine/community order, this is of course based on whether the consumption is based on personal use or not. The law went live on February 28th 2012, among a rethink into sentencing guidelines. In terms of the policing of cannabis, the law is relatively relaxed currently, the drug convention next year will pave the way for a rethink on the policing on cannabis. The current laws are outdated, but the new legislation in February has set the foundations (I hope) for a more lenient sentencing or conviction process.

Just finished a finals essay on drugs policing so information is up to date.

We can but hope.

 

I live in England, it's simple;

get caught with a small amount = caution + possible fine (multiple times, then prison sentence)
get caught with large amount = dealing, prison sentence + unlimited fine

Growing 1 or 2 plants then caution + fine
Growing 10+ then dealing and factory and a prison sentence

plus smoking whilst driving can be upto 5 years in prision

 

The laws recently changed. You are now allowed to grow 9 plants and escape a custodial sentence if caught (this is classed as personal use), UNLESS there is clear intent to sell. As GK420 was saying.

The stuff about driving is complete bullshit, there is no definitive on the spot test a policeman can do to prove that you're high. There was talk of a similar device to drink driving (breathaliser) but that hasn't materialised yet.

edit: kushandchips knows his shit i had a .pdf of the document detailing the changes with regards to all drugs and determining of sentences but idk where its gone

 

Not true, that's an incredibly simplistic view on law enforcement, it's far more varied, FAR.

 

Yes of course it is, but that's a pretty good breakdown and pretty basic to show you how strict it actually is.

 

Are you planning on getting caught?

 

yea, please teach me more about how to be a badass. shit happens to everyone sooner or later unless you never leave your house.

 

We had a recent downgrade here in England, my mate heard it on the radio.
Right, I think you're allowed up to 6 plants (growing) and a 'small amount', which they class at a surprising 50g.

The most you'll get is a fine, absolute worst.

 

[quote name='"Titch"']We had a recent downgrade here in England, my mate heard it on the radio.
Right, I think you're allowed up to 6 plants (growing) and a 'small amount', which they class at a surprising 50g.

The most you'll get is a fine, absolute worst.[/quote]

You should look into that a bit more there has been no down grade they have simply set out a scale of classification on how to judge each case. Before there was no set limit as to what could be called personal / commerical .. and alot of other little loop holes.. for instance even if you were growing the 6 plants classed as a personal grow other factors such like if you live near a school or play park can aid in bumping you up to more than just a fine

 

The website lol, don't worry. And yeah, they don't mind giving the elderly shitty pensions and throwing them into abusive nursing homes, but when it comes to such a "dangerous" drug like cannabis they couldn't be more concerned!

 

I've had a number of possession charges, most I ever got was an £80 fine.
Most times just had my shit confiscated.

 

KushandChips has it right with the growing of up to 9 plants, and i believe the fine goes up to 125% of a weekly wage if caught.

Although never been charged myself this i how i believe it to be:
A small time first possession with land you with a caution generally, but multiple charges/ being loudmouthed/unreasonable police can and may land you with a fine.

A repeat offence within a certain time period which i forget (maybe 6 months) means an almost definite fine/community service and depending on the severity possible jailtime.

Any sort of dealing or being caught with multiple baggies (which can be seen as intent to supply) will definitely be a fine and likely jailtime depending on the serverity. Not sure on lengths of jailtime though.

From what i'm aware the 'downgrade'/reclassifying in punishments is due to current lack in police numbers, but there have been limited cases in which the system has been put into effect, and somehow it has been kept fairly under wraps by the media so in terms of what is happening in reality I'm not so sure at the moment.