A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he “fully supports” calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A drug.
Police forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be upgraded.
Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen “first-hand” how cannabis cultivation and use are “deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities” in his county.
The Home Office said it has “no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act”.
“From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups,” said Mr Wilkinson.
Recent operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being seized.
These took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England.
Mr Wilkinson added: “The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence.
“County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve.”
He said a national drug policy “that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing” would “send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities”.
Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting “any crimes and intelligence from their communities” so action can be taken.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.
