PCC backs plan for ‘cannabis cards’ for medical users
A North Wales police boss is backing plans for new “cannabis cards” formedicinal users which would effectively decriminalise the drug.
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, a long-term advocate of drugs reform, believes it would free millions of sick people from the fear of being prosecuted.
It is estimated over a million people regularly use cannabis to help them cope with pain and anxiety caused by illnesses including cancer, depression, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Mr Jones is supporting orting a call from the National onal Police Chiefs Council, cil, the body that repreesents Chief Consta- bles in the UK, to o give the new system m the green light. The e council is working g with the organisers of the cards to design and implement it: the Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, is also behind the scheme.
The card would identify them as a ‘registered medical cannabis patient’ and prevent them being fined or even jailed for buying cannabis for their own use from an illegal dealer.
Mr Jones was deeply touched by the recent death of Phil James (pictured), who took cannabis oil to prolong his life after being diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 33. The father-of-one from Oakenholt, Flintshire, said the oil shrunk his tumour and staved off seizures allowing him to spend longer with wife Nicola and their 15-month-old daughter, Phoebe.
He was diagnosed with a grade three tumour at the end of 2015 and it dramatically reduced in size after taking the drug. But Mr James then suffered a minor stroke and a CAT scan revealed a secondary tumour, causing him to suffer a series of falls, in February 2018. He died at Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham in January this year.
According to Mr Jones, the case was a perfect example of why it was necessary to ensure people who took medicinal cannabis should not have the additional worry of prosecution.
Mr Jones, a former police inspector, added: “The police have fought a long and unsuccessful campaign against drug use which has just had the effect of playing p into the hands of the criminals who control the illegal drug tra trade.
“At the same tim time it has penalise ised people for wh whom cannabis can offer real and lasting relief from the medical pr problems caused by a range of illnesses.
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK for nearly two years but as it has to be prescribed by a specialist rather than a GP fewer than 100 people are believed to have been given a prescription.
The card is set to be introduced in November as a private scheme. It won’t be a guarantee against prosecution although supporters say it could persuade police not to take action against those with small amounts for medicinal use. Jason Harwin, of the Police Council, said: “The card isn’t a get out of jail free card. It’s a flag to us that the person should be accessing medication.”
The UK Government has no plans to legalise the drug but Mr Jones said:”I am pleased police officers of all ranks are throwing their weight behind this campaign.”