Campaigners who claim they want to liberalise the drug laws are in fact demanding more state control over drug-users.

We have received a number of emails from cannabis activists asking for clarification on how the new Sentencing Guidelines will impact on cannabis cultivation and possession. Release provided detailed advice to the Council and has welcomed many of the changes in the guidelines as an improvement on the previous regime, but in relation to cannabis, there has only been a slight shift in approach.

New sentencing guidelines have been released for drug offences in the UK.  Many are excited.  Some go so far as to engage in celebration.  One cannabis advocacy group has gone so far as to announce that personal use grow operations are now decriminalized.

So sentencing for some offences will be reduced – but we're still left with an unscientific drug policy obsessed with 'the message'

People who buy drugs to share with friends could avoid prison under guidance that also recognises medical use of cannabis.

Recreational drug users who naively buy small quantities to share with their friends could avoid jail under sentencing guidelines for drug offences published on Tuesday.