Pubs in confusion over cannabis law

Publicans are on their own when it comes to dealing with customers lighting up cannabis joints on their premises.

There is widespread confusion over the legal status of the drug, with the law on cannabis use being relaxed next week. Cannabis will be downgraded from a Class B to a Class C drug and, although possession will still be a crime, many members of the public believe it will be legal to use the drug.

Police forces have an official policy of "presumption against arrest" and will turn a blind eye to cannabis use in private. However, the status of pubs as private premises to which the public are admitted is uncertain under the new guidelines.

Licensees fear there will be a huge influx of customers smoking cannabis on their premises, which will result in them being fined or losing their licence.

In Brixton, South London, which was the area used to test the new police approach, a licensee, who asked not to be named, said: "We're in an area where cannabis use is widespread, and it's already hard to persuade customers to take our no-drugs policy seriously. The change is likely to make things more difficult." The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued no guidance to forces specifically on dealing with pubs, while some pub companies and trade associations seem to have failed to offer guidance to licensees about dealing with the change.

Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), said: "There is so much uncertainty from the police. Licensees would be well advised to remember that cannabis is still an illegal substance and err strongly on the side of caution."

The ALMR has not issued any new guidance to members, but Mr Bish said it would now consider doing so.

Maureen Heffernan, director of communications of Laurel Pub Company, said a note had been sent reminding managers that cannabis use should not be tolerated. She said there was a concern that the police might now be less willing to help pubs deal with cannabis use, "but if customers create problems when they're asked to leave, managers can follow the usual procedure for dealing with a disturbance".

A spokesman for Spirit Group said the company's existing guidelines to managers would remain in place and cannabis taking or dealing would not be tolerated.

As this article was posted the government revealed it will be investing £1m in an advertising campaign to educate people about the new law.

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