Police have sent out a message to those who think cannabis is already legal.

Officers in Tyne and Wear have reported youngsters using joints, convinced that marijuana is no longer illegal.

Chief Insp Nick Eley, of South Tyneside police, said: "Officers have noticed that many young people now genuinely seem to believe that it is no longer an offence to possess cannabis. This is not the case."

During 2000 Northumbria Police charged 1,241 people for possession of cannabis and cautioned 1,169. In 2001, 1,427 were charged and 1,008 were cautioned.

Chief Insp Eley said: "We want to impress upon young people in particular that carrying cannabis can lead to prosecution and a criminal record.

"South Tyneside officers alone have arrested six people recently who not only believed that they could not be arrested for possession, but also thought it was not an offence to possess cannabis in small amounts for their own use.

"We want to correct such false impressions and ensure that people stay on the right side of the law."