Senior police officers have urged the government to reclassify cannabis from that of a Class B drug to Class C following concerns that links have been made between the drug and mental illness in some users.

The Association of Chief Police Officers said reclassification would end confusion over the drug's status and would help them target organised crime gangs who are profiting from the booming trade in herbal cannabis cultivated in the UK.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will hear the latest evidence from a number of bodies about the impact of the drug and will make a decision on whether to recommend moving the drug back into Class B in the next few months.

Whitehall sources have suggested they may propose moving dope back to Class B regardless of the ACMD's conclusions.

The reclassification would be accompanied by stiffer penalties, something believed to be supported by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

David Blunkett, who downgraded the drug when he was home secretary, believes a reversal of his decision would create confusion.

Debra Bell of the Talking About Cannabis Parental Action Group will call on the ACMD to reclassify dope to Class B.

She said: "Skunk cannabis is one of the evils of our time. I'm not talking about it just being a gateway drug. It is dangerous in itself."

ACMD members are expected to make a recommendation to the Home Secretary in April.

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