Campaign advises cannabis remains an illegal drug

The government has launched a campaign to highlight that the reclassification of cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, is not a "legalisation" of the substance.

Launching the campaign to coincide with the change in the law which comes into effect today, NIO Minister John Spellar said: "It is very important that we advise the public and especially those who might use cannabis, that reclassification does not mean that cannabis is now a legal drug, or that it is not harmful to health.

"This public information campaign will give everyone the relevant facts, including that you can still be arrested for possession of the drug.

"The campaign has two simple messages; that cannabis is illegal and that possession of the drug is an arrestable offence. It is against the law to have, give away or deal in cannabis in any form, including plants. While this campaign does not specifically spell out the dangers to health, these haven't changed as a result of reclassification. Smoking cannabis could harm your health yesterday and it can equally harm your health today."

The campaign will see 100,000 leaflets and 4000 posters distributed to schools, further and higher education colleges, employers, criminal justice agencies and voluntary and community organisations.

The campaign will consist of three separate elements: a four-week radio advertisement which is primarily aimed at younger people will describe the various words and slang names given to cannabis and use the strap line, "call it what you like, but don't call it legal".

The decision to reclassify cannabis was taken by the Home Secretary following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (AMCD). The AMCD concluded that while cannabis is not a harmless substance and that it poses risks to health and society, it is less harmful than other substances within the Class B schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act. It therefore recommended that it should be re-classified to Class C under the Act.

This reclassification came into force on 29 January.

The information campaign is a joint initiative between the Community Safety Unit, NIO, the Health Promotion Agency and the Northern Ireland Drug and Alcohol Campaign.

(SP)