Officers Hesitate to Enforce Cannabis Laws Amid Accountability Concerns

Frontline police officers say they are increasingly reluctant to conduct stop-and-searches based on the smell of cannabis, citing fears of complaints and prolonged investigations that could jeopardize their careers.

Despite calls from senior figures, including College of Policing head Sir Andy Marsh and Britain’s longest-serving chief constable, to treat cannabis use as a visible sign of crime and social disorder, rank-and-file officers warn of a chilling effect due to legal risks and public scrutiny.

Brian Booth, Deputy Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, highlighted the disconnect between command expectations and practical enforcement:

“If this is a priority, make it a priority and we will deal with it.”

Yet officers feel the stakes are too high given the potential for job-threatening complaints, social media fallout, and limited capacity to manage competing priorities.

Stop-and-search rates have declined sharply, reflecting widespread caution. Officers question whether searching individuals in groups is lawful when cannabis odour is detected, especially when guidance from watchdog bodies advises against searches based solely on smell.

Public safety advocates like Rory Geoghegan, a former Met officer, argue that cannabis poses real harm to communities and that passive enforcement undermines public confidence. The debate exposes a growing rift between enforcement strategy and institutional risk aversion.

Police are AFRAID to stop and search suspected cannabis users, officers say | Daily Mail Online