Freedom Information Request: Cannabis-Related Offences

Yesterday saw the release of new report, published by the think tank Radix and written by former Health Minister MP Sir Norman Lamb, entitled “Protecting Children and Young People from Harm – the public health case for a legal regulated cannabis market”. The release was accompanied by a Volteface & Radix FOI request to the Ministry of Justice, which revealed that: 

• Last year, 1584 children were taken to court for the possession of cannabis and 1 in 4 of those were aged under 16. 
• 81% of those who were taken to court were found guilty, landing them with a criminal record and limiting their life chances.
• Last year, 194 children were taken to court for possession with intent to supply, among whom 24 were aged under 16. 83% of those who were taken to court were found guilty.
• There is greater ethnic disproportionality among children than among adults. Among adults, White ethnic groups make up 35% of cases and BAME ethnic groups make up 46%. Among children, BAME ethnic groups make up 42% of cases and White ethic groups make up 38%. Note: BAME ethnic groups use cannabis at a lower rate than White ethnic groups. 

The data was reported on in The Telegraph and readers can find the full figures here.

Full figures: National (England and Wales)

Children aged 11-17 

2013/14-2017/18 (proceeded against)

• Supply -29%
• PWIT -9%
• Production -61%
• Possession -39%

2017/18 (proceeded against)

• Supply 45
• PWIT 194
• Production 30
• Possession 1584 (BAME 42%, White 38%, NS 20%) 

2017/18 (guilty)

• Supply 34  
• PWIT 161
• Production 8
• Possession 1277 (BAME 41%, White 38%, NS 21%) 

Children aged under 16 (2017/18)

• 364 12-15 year-olds were proceeded against for the possession of cannabis, of these 278 were found guilty.
• 9 13-15 year-olds were proceeded against for the supply of cannabis, of these 5 were found guilty.
• 24 14-15 year-olds were proceeded against for PWIT cannabis, of these 21 were found guilty
• 6 14-15 year-olds were proceeded against for cannabis production, of these 1 were found guilty.

Adults

2013/14-2017/18 (proceeded against)

• Supply -22%
• PWIS -38%
• Production -63%
• Possession  -39%

2017/18 (proceeded against)

• Supply 819 
• PWIS 3491
• Production 3667
• Possession 13771 (BAME 35%, White 46%, NS 19%) 

2017/18 (guilty)

• Supply 453 
• PWIS 1816
• Production 2218
• Possession 12347 (BAME 34%, White 46%, NS 20%)