CanCard or MedCanID schemes

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.026036

I note you seek access to the following information:

1) Does your force acknowledge/endorse either the CanCard or MedCanID schemes?

2) Does your force accept the scheme's respective membership cards / passes as evidence for possession of medical cannabis?

3) If so, under what grounds are either accepted?

4) The schemes claim they have agreements with "the police". Can you confirm if any agreements are in place?

5) If so, what are these agreements?

6) Both schemes claim to be training police officers in how to deal with or respond to holders of their respective membership cards / passes. What training has been given to officers?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Does your force acknowledge/endorse either the CanCard or MedCanID schemes?

The MPS have acknowledged the CanCard Scheme, but there is no information held in respect of official “endorsement” of the scheme.

Q2- Does your force accept the scheme's respective membership cards / passes as evidence for possession of medical cannabis?

MPS Position – The CanCard/MedCannID does not provide an individual with and excuse to possess cannabis. This is not the same as a prescription. Anyone with a genuine prescription would be unlikely to be arrested or prosecuted.

Q3 - If so, under what grounds are either accepted?

However, an Evidential Review Officer (ERO) would likely take CanCard into account when considering a disposal option such as No Further Action (NFA).

Q4 - The schemes claim they have agreements with "the police". Can you confirm if any agreements are in place?

The MPS receives direction on this matter from the NPCC, there are no local agreements specifically with CanCard so again this will be no information held.

Q5 - If so, what are these agreements?

See answer provided for Q4.

Q6 - Both schemes claim to be training police officers in how to deal with or respond to holders of their respective membership cards / passes. What training has been given to officers?

Leaflets have been provided and circulated.

You may also find the below 2 links useful:

CanCard Information for Police Officers – Available in the public domain here.

NPCC CanCard Fact Sheet Nov 2020 – Available in the public domain here.