Runciman Report
The Runciman Report[1] was a 2000 Police Foundation (2000) inquiry into the United Kingdom's Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) authored by Viscountess Runciman.
Recommendations[edit]
It called for the classification system to be more closely based on the scientific evidence of relative harm and consequently that cannabis should be reclassified to Class C from Class B. This was on the grounds that making cannabis possession a non-arrestable offence would reduce the number of "otherwise law-abiding, mainly young people" being criminalised and potentially receiving a custodial sentence to the detriment of their futures (p 7). It was also perceived that this could remove a source of friction between the police and the wider community and that this would free up police time (Monaghan 2008: 213). It also argued for the reclassification of LSD and MDMA from Class A to Class B and a reduction in the maximum sentence for possession of Class As, from seven years to twelve months. Lady Runciman's report also recommended the creation of a new offence of drug dealing.
See also[edit]
- Cannabis in the United Kingdom
- Cannabis rescheduling
- Legalise Cannabis Alliance
- Legal issues of cannabis
References[edit]
Further reading[edit]
- Monaghan, Mark. 2008. "Appreciating cannabis: the paradox of evidence in evidence-based policy making". Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice 4: 209--231.
