How are young people under 18 being dealt with?
The Government is sending out a clear message to young people under 18 that cannabis suse remains illegal. Police enforcement is consistent with the more structured framework for early juvenile offending established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, where a young offender can receive a reprimand, final warning or charge depending on the seriousness of the offence. Following one reprimand, any further offence will lead to a final warning or charge. Any further offence following a warning will normally result in a charge being brought. After a final warning, the young offender must be referred to the Youth Offending Team to arrange a rehabilitation programme to prevent reoffending.
