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The Electoral Commission has fined the treasurer of the political party Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol a total of £23,000 following numerous failures by the party to comply with the requirements for reporting political finances.

Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol (Great Britain) has been fined £10,000 for the late delivery of two quarterly donations reports and one statement of accounts, as well as a failure to maintain adequate accounting records.

Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol (Northern Ireland) has been fined £13,000 for failing to deliver two quarterly donations reports and its spending return for the Northern Ireland Assembly election in May 2016, the late delivery of one loans report, one statement of accounts and a failure to maintain adequate accounting records.

Commenting on the fines issued to Cannabis Is Safer than Alcohol, Bob Posner, Electoral Commission Director of Party Finance and Regulation & Legal Counsel, said:

"Political parties have a legal responsibility to submit their financial returns, so that voters know the sources and levels of their funding. We had significant concerns about this party’s willingness to comply with the rules and the loss of transparency as a result of its unprecedented history of non-compliance. The fines issued in this case reflect the serious impact that this can have on voter confidence.”

The party was registered separately in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland and was required to fulfil reporting requirements separately. The treasurer for the party is responsible for ensuring that the reporting requirements for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland parties are met and is liable for the fines that the Commission has imposed.

Previously, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol parties have been fined a combined total of £18,000 by the Electoral Commission. All previous fines have been paid. The party was removed from the register of political parties on 3 November 2016 after the party did not complete an annual registration confirmation, a requirement that all parties must fulfil in order to remain on the register of political parties.

The Commission publishes details of concluded cases every month as part of its commitment to ensuring transparency in the UK’s political and party funding systems. The full monthly casework update, which includes details on all of our recently concluded investigations, can be found on our website here.

Any penalties that are imposed by the Commission go into the Consolidated Fund. This is managed by HM Treasury and not by the Electoral Commission.

EndsFor further information contact Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk Out of office hours 07789 920 414

Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:
   • enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focussing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
   • regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
   • using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency
   • The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK and Scottish Parliaments.
2. The Electoral Commission has a range of enforcement powers under PPERA 2000. For more information on the regulatory work of the Commission see the website here.
3. Any potential breaches of the rules which regulate political finance are considered in line with the Commission's enforcement policy which can be accessed here.
4. An individual or organisation that is issued with a sanction by the Electoral Commission has 28 days to appeal that decision.
5. The fine will increase by 50% if it is not paid within 56 days of being imposed. After a further 28 days we may take action to obtain payment through the courts using the debt recovery process.
6. For further details of previous fines to the party see previous press releases here and here