Video: Candidates clashed over cannabis and policing during Notts TV’s live debate
Candidates standing to become Notts Police and Crime Commissioner have backed the idea of cannabis users escaping prosecution.
Nottinghamshire will go to the polls to choose someone for the role on May 5.
And almost all of those in the running for the job say they are comfortable with users escaping court in certain circumstances.
All five standing for the crucial policing position – which controls force priorities and spending – debated the issue as part of a one-hour Notts TV News special.
Current Labour commissioner Paddy Tipping said police already used discretion and often ‘turned a blind eye’ to use of the class B drug.
Conservative candidate Tony Harper said a caution for possession was acceptable and Independent Jason Zadrozny and UKIP’s Fran Loi expressed sympathy for people using cannabis to treat pain.
Independent Tony Bates expressed less comfort with officers ignoring the drug and said police should still press people they catch smoking it.
When asked if he would encourage Notts officers to ‘turn a blind eye’ to cannabis possession, current commissioner Paddy Tipping said: “I think that is the reality.
“I think if you look at police forces in Nottinghamshire and across the country, is this the police’s top priority? No it’s not.”
However, he added he had “grave reservations” about full legalisation because of health concerns over the drug.
Tony Harper, the Conservative candidate and a former police officer, said people he had arrested for possession had usually been cautioned after arriving at a police station.
“I don’t see it as a big deal in everything the police have got to do. But it is a class B drug – and therefore it needs dealing with as such,” he said.
“So what I would do is arrest people and then they would get a caution. I don’t see it as a big crime.”
The reality is it’s double standards – it’s illegal
Independent candidate Tony Bates said police should intervene when they saw people smoking the drug.
“I walk around the city a lot and I smell it – it annoys me because it’s illegal but it’s happening,” he said.
“The reality is it’s double standards – it’s illegal.”
UKIP candidate Fran Loi said: “There’s got to be a right way for people to access it for medicinal purposes.”
He added: “I’d like to see a trial somewhere with it legalised. We ought to be looking at how it’s dealt with elsewhere in the world.”
Notts PCC Election – Key Points
- Thursday, May 5 2016
- Polling stations open 7am-10am across Notts
- Candidates: Paddy Tipping (Labour), Tony Harper (Conservative), Fran Loi (UKIP), Tony Bates (Independent), Jason Zadrozny (Independent)
- Any British citizen registered to vote can do so
- Thursday, May 12 – successful candidate takes up office
Independent Jason Zadrozny said: “I don’t think we should be chasing everyone who’s crippled with rheumatoid arthritis who’s getting some pain relief. It’s a waste of resources – we should have a debate about the health benefits – or not.”
As a class B drug, possessing cannabis can land someone with a jail sentence of up five years. Dealing it carries a sentence of at up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.
Government advice warns users the drug can cause anxiety and paranoia and using it has been linked to serious mental health problems, particularly in heavy users.
Around 100 people held a pro-Cannabis rally in Old Market Square on Wednesday night, where users called for the drug to be legalised, with some openly smoking it.
We think there are far more harmful substances
Pro-Cannabis campaigner Joe Robinson, who was at the protest, said: “We think there are far more harmful substances being borne out of Cannabis prohibition the legal highs that are rife in Nottingham at the moment are a real issue that need to be dealt with.
“We feel that decriminalisation of a far less harmful substance – cannabis – is the only way to deal with it.”
