Publication
Health Education Population Survey (HEPS): Update from 2004 Survey - Final Report
| Contents: | Summary 1. Introduction 2. Attitudes to own health 3. Physical activity 4. Diet 5. Smoking 6. Alcohol 7. Mental Health 8. Oral health 9. Sexual health 10. Cannabis legislation Appendix |
10. Cannabis legislation
In January 2004, new legislation was introduced on the classification of cannabis. Whilst it is still illegal to possess cannabis, the new leglislation downgrades the drug from category B to category C thus reducing the penalties for possession and use. The aim was to free up police time for dealing with category A drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The change puts cannabis on a par with anti-depressants and steroids. Under the new legislation, possession of small amounts is no longer considered an arrestable offence .
In 2004 a new module of questions was added to the HEPS questionnaire to look at awareness of changes in legislation and the likely effect of this new legislation on their behaviour Perhaps unsurprisingly, there seemed to be a lot of confusion over what the new legislation entails according to reports in the media.
10.1 Awareness of legislation
Seven in ten respondents (71%) claimed to be aware of a change in legislation regarding cannabis. There were differences by sex, age and social grade (Figure 10.1)
Figure 10.1 Percentage aware of legislation by sex/age/social grade
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Base: all respondents 2004 (1784)
Women were slightly less likely than men to be aware of the legislation, and awareness was also lower for the over 55s and those in social grades C2 and DE.
When asked for their understanding of the legislation, there was clearly a lot of confusion (Figure 10.2).
Figure 10.2 Understanding of the legislation (spontaneous)
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Base: all respondents 2004 (1784)
Whilst the most frequently given answer was correct (34% knew it had been downgraded to category C), others gave a variety of answers. In total 41% gave a correct answer (cannabis is still illegal in some way) but 22% mistakenly believed that cannabis was still legal, at least in some situations.
Even after prompting there was still considerable confusion (Figure 10.3). Whilst half of respondents were aware that cannabis was still illegal but that the penalties were reduced, almost a quarter (23%) erroneously believed it to be legal, at least for personal use.
Figure 10.3 Understanding of the legislation (prompted)
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Base: all respondents 2004 (1784)
Figure 10.4 Proportion believing cannabis now illegal but penalties less severe (prompted) by sex/age/social grade
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Base: all respondents 2004 (1784)
As for awareness of the legislation, awareness of the content of the legislation also differed by age, sex and social grade (Figure 10.4). Men were much more likely than women to know that cannabis was still illegal but the penalties were less severe. Awareness was highest for the under-45s and lowest for those aged 65+ and there was a clear social grade gradient.
10.2 Likely effect on behaviour
One in ten respondents (9%) had used cannabis in the past year, with a further 20% having used it at some point in the past. This makes it by far the most widely reported illegal drug to be used. One of the criticisms levelled at the legislation is that it may result in an increase in cannabis use. A misunderstanding of the legislation (e.g. as the legalisation of cannabis) could also have an impact on behaviour.
Under one in ten (7%) said that it would make them more likely to use cannabis. This rose to 11% of those who had ever used cannabis and to 22% of those who had used it in the past year. There was, however, no difference according to understanding of the legislation, although those who had heard of the legislation prior to the survey were slightly more likely to say it would make them more likely to use cannabis, irrespective of understanding (8% compared with 5% of those who had not heard of it).
Main points
- Seven in ten were aware that there had been a change in legislation but only four in ten knew that cannabis is still illegal to use and possess.
- Men, younger respondents and those in the highest social grades were most likely to know the broad content of the legislation
- Seven per cent of respondents said the legislation would make them more likely to use cannabis, rising to 22% of recent users of the drug. Correct understanding of the legislation had little effect on this.