The Law
The government reclassified cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug in January 2004.
If caught in possession of cannabis, those 17 or under can be arrested and taken to a police station for a formal warning.
If it is not a first offence it could result in a conviction.
Those over 18 can have their drugs confiscated and receive a warning.
Police can still arrest an individual if they are a repeat offender, are smoking in public, are a threat to public order or have cannabis near any premises used by children.
The maximum penalty for supplying and dealing Class C drugs is still 14 years plus an unlimited fine