Facts. Callum, 23, is found with a small amount of cannabis in Glasgow.
What the law says. The MDA applies UK-wide, but in Scotland police report cases to the Procurator Fiscal (COPFS), except under the Recorded Police Warning (RPW) scheme. On 22 September 2021, the Lord Advocate extended RPWs to simple possession of all drug classes, saying the scheme "extends to possession offences only", RPWs "do not represent decriminalisation", and "neither offering nor accepting a Recorded Police Warning is mandatory".[53][54][55] Police Scotland has said an RPW "is still a criminal justice disposal, which remains on a person's criminal record"; it is reported to be kept on file for two years [secondary press source].[56][57] The guidelines are confidential.[54]
How it escalates. Simple possession: RPW may be offered. Cultivation, signs of supply, or a record: report to the Procurator Fiscal, who may offer a fiscal alternative or prosecute [unverified — fiscal options]. The THC drive limit in Scotland is also 2 µg/L [secondary source].[38]
Help. Release; Scottish Legal Aid Board; Citizens Advice Scotland.