Medical cannabis policy 264/2022
FOI Reference: 264/2022
Request:
1) a copy of the Constabulary's policy or procedure for the verification of the legitimate possession and use of prescribed medical cannabis/cannabis-based prescription medicine (CBPM);
2) if the Constabulary does not have a local policy regarding this, could you please confirm that the Home Office guidance is adhered to by the Constabulary - namely that someone claiming the legitimate possession and use of medical cannabis will be expected to produce: the original medication container complete with the pharmacy dispensing label bearing the name of the patient; with either a copy of their FP10 prescription or a letter from the prescribing clinician; and a form of recognised photo ID (such as a passport, driving licence, or a PASS accredited photocard) bearing the same name as displayed on the dispensing label and the copy of the FP10 or clinician's letter;
3) if your Constabulary does not have a policy relating to this, could you please provide the Constabulary's policy regarding compliance with the PSED (Public Sector Equality Duty), especially with regards to the avoidance of discrimination against disabled people for the legitimate possession and use of a prescribed medication;
4) a copy of any internal briefing documents provided to police officers regarding the existence of - and the process for the verification of - prescribed medical cannabis flower or other CBPM's following the Home Office Circular 2018: 'Rescheduling of cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans' and The Misuse of Drugs (Amendments) (Cannabis and Licence Fees) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2018 which allowed the prescribing of medical cannabis (CBPM);
5) the named lead for the Constabulary for matters pertaining to the verification of medical cannabis (CBPM);
6) the Constabulary's policy or position relating to the recognition of unaccredited card schemes such as Cancard or MedCannID, if such a policy exists.
Response 1:
I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to question 1 of your request.
Response 2:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:
- Yes, Dyfed Powys police adheres to the Home Office guidance
Response 3:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, please see the hyperlink outlined below which relates to our Public Sector Equality Duty page
Public sector equality duty | Dyfed-Powys Police
Our equality objectives | Dyfed-Powys Police
Response 4:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:
The following NPCC guidance/documents was circulated:
(Please see your original email in which the above documents have been attached)
Response 5:
Dyfed Powys police does not have a specific lead in relation to question 5 of your request however, the NPCC Drugs Lead is DCC Harwin.
Response 6:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:
Dyfed Powys police adheres to the NPCC guidance i.e. as per the documents outlined in relation to question 4 of your request.
It should be noted that owing to the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such matters the information provided may or may not be accurate. It should be noted that for these reasons this Force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 29/06/22)