"Early figures from police forces indicate that the number of arrests for cannabis possession are falling," a Home Office spokeswoman told The Scotsman newspaper. "This will help police and benefit the community by focusing police time and resources on the most serious drugs and offenses."

Under Britain's new pot policy, which took effect January 29, 2004, individuals found in possession of personal use amounts of marijuana are cautioned by police, but, in general, are no longer arrested. (Police do retain the discretion to make an arrest under special "aggravated" circumstances, such as if marijuana is smoked on school grounds.)

Under the previous classification, about 80,000 Britons were arrested annually for possessing cannabis - 90 percent of whom were charged with possession only.

"Marijuana decriminalization is a common sense policy that frees up police time and resources to focus on serious crime while at the same time not encouraging cannabis use," NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup said. He noted that the possession of marijuana for personal use is a fine-only offense in 12 US states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Oregon.

For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500.