UK News 05-09-2002 "Three Spliffs And You`re Out" Say Police who: Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth what: Announces more relaxed "three-strikes" cannabis law where: BLACKPOOL when: Yesterday snippet: Drug users caught in possession of cannabis on the streets three times within a year will be arrested under a "three spliffs and you`re out" rule announced by police chiefs yesterday, reports The Guardian. By next July, explains The Times, "people caught once or twice with cannabis for personal use will be allowed to hand over the drug, accept a formal warning on the street and go on their way. But if they are caught for a third time in 12 months they will be arrested and will face heavier penalties, which may include a caution that could be held against them if they go to court for other offences." Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth, announcing the new measures, insisted on the importance of conveying a distinction between the varying dangers of different drugs. "Cannabis is harmful - they should not take it. It is not legal," he said. "But it is not like heroin and it is not like cocaine and unless we have that credible differentiating message we will not be able to get the message to young people." The Evening Standard seeks out those entrepreneurs ready and waiting to take advantage of relaxed cannabis laws, such as Yo! Sushi founder Simon Woodroffe. "He wants to create a fashionable space - call it Yo! Blow - for urban sophisticates to meet for a smoke." Meanwhile in Hull, Carl Wagner has recently rejected a £20,000 offer for his Divine Herb market stall, which sells gro-lights and hemp clothing. "I was approached by a rep to sell Cannabis Vodka," says Wagner, a reformed bottle-a-day man. "I had to say no - I just didn`t want to associate such a safe plant with hard drugs like that." [... more]

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