FOI 399-2024 / Apr 2024 / Medical cannabis
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: FOI-399-2024
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 9th April 2024, and clarification received on 10th April 2024 as follows:
- How many arrests have been made by Warwickshire Police for people in possession of/using cannabis, which was later shown to be medicinal cannabis, in the past 12 months?
- Have officers from Warwickshire Police undergone training around medical cannabis and the law?
- Are there plans for such training to take place?
On 10th April we requested the following clarification from you:
In relation to Q1 – Are you enquiring where someone has been arrested for possession of cannabis which was later found to be medical cannabis (rather than just anyone arrested for anything who has been found to possess/use medical cannabis)?
On 10th April you provided the following clarification:
Yes. So arrested for possession of cannabis, which was later shown to be medical cannabis.
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Q1 response: In the event that someone is suspected of being in possession of cannabis the onus is on the individual to prove that it is medical. If they do not do so then any arrest would be carried out under the misuse of drugs act.
However, I can advise that searches were conducted for all arrests where the ‘reason for arrest’ is ‘Drugs - Possess Class B or C’ (as this is the reason for arrest category that cannabis possession would all under) and where ‘cannabis’ is mentioned within the arrest circumstances. Further searches were then undertaken for where ‘medical’ ‘medication’ or ‘CBD’ are also included and can advise that this search did not produce any results relevant to your request.
Q2 response: No specific information held. However, outside of the Act, please see the attached guidance documents, which were circulated to officers and staff.
Q3 response: No Information held
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB