Drug possession should be removed from police performance indicators

In this article, Michael Shiner provides an overview of drug reform in Britain and the reclassification of cannabis. Paradoxically, the initial reclassification from B to C in 2004 led to an intensification of police efforts targeting minor possession. Recorded offences have continued to increase despite rates of self-reported use falling. He argues that cannabis possession should be removed from police performance indicators to encourage officers to spend more time solving serious crime.