College of Policing FOIA-2026-094 response 9 July 2026

Authority case reference: FOIA-2026-094

Operational handling and outcomes

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Date: 09/07/2026  
Our Reference: FOIA-2026-094 
 
RE: Your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“FOIA 2000”)  
We write in response to your freedom of information request in which you are seeking the 
following information:  
 
Attached is the College of Policing response FOIA-2026-032. That response indicates that 
the College does not maintain dedicated CBPM -specific training products and that 
operational guidance is derived through existing policing frameworks. 
Also attached is CPS response FOI 14145. That response confirms that: 
• no CBPM-specific prosecutorial guidance exists; 
• no formally adopted guidance differentiating CBPMs from other controlled 
drugs exists; and 
• no CBPM-specific governance or review arrangements exist. 
 
This request concerns recorded information relating to training, competence and 
operational assurance regarding prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. 
For clarity: 
• this request concerns formally recorded information only; 
• it does not seek draft material; 
• it does not seek informal communications; 
• it does not seek legal advice; 
• it does not seek case-level information; 
• it does not seek opinions regarding the merits of the police

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1. Did the College of Policing consider developing dedicated training, learning
products or educational materials relating to prescribed cannabis-based
products for medicinal use?

2. If the answer to Question 1 is yes, please provide the records documenting
that consideration.

3. If the answer to Question 1 is no, please provide any recorded information
explaining why dedicated training, learning products or educational materials
were not considered necessary.

When a request is made under FOIA 2000, we have a general duty under section 1(1) of the Act
to inform an applicant whether the requested information is held. There is then a general
obligation to communicate that information to the applicant. If we decide that the information
should not be disclosed because an exempt ion applies, we must, under section 17(1), provide
the appropriate section or exemption of the Act and explain our reliance upon it.

It is important to note that a freedom of information request is not a private transaction. Both the
request itself and any information disclosed are considered suitable for open publication and once
access to information is granted to one person under the legislation, it is then considered public
information and must be communicated to any individual should a request be received. In light of
this, our responses and disclosures are published on our external website at a later date.

Please note, some of the information supplied to you might be protected by Copyright law. Unless
expressly permitted by law, any re-use, adaptation or sharing of College information, in
whole or in part, requires permission from the College of Policing. To request permission please
contact the College’s Copyright and Licencing Team at

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Information received may also include third party owned information. Such information must not
be reproduced, adapted or shared, in whole or in part, without first obtaining the permission from
the third party rights holder(s).

Decision
In line with section 1(1) of FOIA 2000, we can confirm that we do hold the information you have
requested and that information is to be provided to you. For clarity, I have addressed each aspect
of your request below.

1. Did the College of Policing consider developing dedicated training, learning
products or educational materials relating to prescribed cannabis-based products
for medicinal use?
No

2. If the answer to Question 1 is yes, please provide the records documenting that
consideration.
N/A

3. If the answer to Question 1 is no, please provide any recorded information
explaining why dedicated training, learning products or educational materials were
not considered necessary.
No information held.

4. If dedicated training, learning products or educational materials were not
considered necessary, please identify the mechanism relied upon to ensure officer
competence regarding prescribed cannabis-based products for medicinal use.
Police Officers and staff have a full learning and development curriculum covering a
broad range of subjects. This curriculum considers what learning is important, necessary,
or can be accessed through CPD and guidance documents. This will include considering
the risk and prevalence of the subject.
Learning is provided on drugs and drug use more generally, including the Misue of Drugs
Act.

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Police Officers also have access to the following for advice and direction: 
• NPCC advice on Medicinal Cannabis, as well force advice and guidance. 
• Supervisors and legal teams in force 
• Drugs expert advisers in force  
• CPS lawyers 
 
We trust this letter answers your questions. Your rights are provided in Appendix A.  
 
Yours faithfully  
Legal Services  
College of Policing  
Email: FOI@college.police.uk  
Website: www.college.police.uk

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         Appendix A Rights  
 
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures our decision under the Freedom of Information 
Act 2000 (the Act) you can request that the decision is reviewed again by someone within the 
College.  
Internal review requests should be made in writing, within forty (40) working days from the date 
of our original response, and sent by email to: FOI@college.police.uk. Alternatively you can 
contact us via the following address: FOI team, College of Policing, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-
Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3EN.  
We will aim to respond to your request for internal review within 20 working days.  
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)  
If you remain dissatisfied with our decision after submitting an internal review request, you may 
contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), who can determine whether your request 
has been handled in accordance with the requirements of the Act.  
For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner please visit their  
website at https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/official-information/. Alternatively, you can contact 
them by telephone or write to them at the following address:  
Information Commissioner's Office  
Wycliffe House  
Water Lane  
Wilmslow  
Cheshire  
SK9 5AF  
Phone: 0303 123 1113