§ Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons were convicted of the offence of unauthorised possession of marijuana in the years 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965, respectively;
(2) how many persons were convicted of offences in respect of the smoking of cannabis and cannabis resin in the years 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965, respectively.
§ Miss BaconThe numbers of persons convicted of being in unauthorised possession of cannabis (marijuana) in the years 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965 were 558, 650, 532 and 575 (provisional figure) respectively. The smoking of cannabis is not a specific offence. In 1965, however, there were eight convictions of permitting premises to be used for smoking cannabis or being concerned in the management of premises used for such a purpose, a new offence created by the Dangerous Drugs Act 1964.