Minister plans €300 on-spot cannabis fines

Cannabis smokers will face reduced fines of €300 under new plans being put forward. At present, offenders face a fine of up to €3,750 and a year in jail but this is rarely done.

The vast majority of those caught – more than 140,000 a year – escape with a warning.

Justice minister Nicole Belloubet is pressing to change the law so that the fines can be handed out by the attending police officer.