BBC NEWS | Politics | New cannabis approach urged in Scotland : "Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan said the guidelines should be issued to Scottish police forces too.

He said: "In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the police are to be issued with new guidelines that will effectively decriminalise cannabis for personal use.

"The police in Scotland must urgently draw up similar guidelines to end the needless prosecution and criminalisation of cannabis users north of the border.

"In England, Wales and Northern Ireland they are at least beginning to address the issue, here in Scotland we are sadly lagging behind.

"The Scottish Socialist Party will continue to fight for the full legalisation of cannabis within a licensing framework similar to alcohol and tobacco that enables the setting up of Dutch style cannabis cafés."