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03/04/2008
Advisory Body Says Cannabis 'Should Remain Class C Drug'
The government's official advisory body on drugs policy is reported to have decided that cannabis should remain a Class C drug.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is due to make its recommendation later this month, after conducting a review on cannabis' legal status on behalf of the government.
The council has not yet issued a comment on the issue, but reports have indicated that they are in favour of keeping the current classification of cannabis.
Chairman Professor Sir Michael Rawlins said that a report would be sent to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith later this month.
Cannabis was downgraded from a Class B drug in January 2004. However, Prime Minister Gordon has indicated that he is in favour of reclassifying cannabis as a Class B drug, saying at his monthly news conference that he wanted people, especially teenagers, to be aware of the dangers of the drug and that the use of it was "unacceptable".
If the government decided to reclassify cannabis, it would be mean a rejection of the findings of the council's panel of 23 drugs experts.
Mental health charities have raised concern about the use of the drug, especially the stronger 'skunk' form, which can cause hallucinations and paranoia.
Cannabis was downgraded in order to allow police to concentrate on tackling the problem of harder drugs.
However, anyone caught in possession of the drug still faces a maximum prison sentence of two years.
(KMcA/JM)
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is due to make its recommendation later this month, after conducting a review on cannabis' legal status on behalf of the government.
The council has not yet issued a comment on the issue, but reports have indicated that they are in favour of keeping the current classification of cannabis.
Chairman Professor Sir Michael Rawlins said that a report would be sent to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith later this month.
Cannabis was downgraded from a Class B drug in January 2004. However, Prime Minister Gordon has indicated that he is in favour of reclassifying cannabis as a Class B drug, saying at his monthly news conference that he wanted people, especially teenagers, to be aware of the dangers of the drug and that the use of it was "unacceptable".
If the government decided to reclassify cannabis, it would be mean a rejection of the findings of the council's panel of 23 drugs experts.
Mental health charities have raised concern about the use of the drug, especially the stronger 'skunk' form, which can cause hallucinations and paranoia.
Cannabis was downgraded in order to allow police to concentrate on tackling the problem of harder drugs.
However, anyone caught in possession of the drug still faces a maximum prison sentence of two years.
(KMcA/JM)
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Blunkett backs police strategy on drugs
Home Secretary, David Blunkett, underlining the Government's support for police strategies to combat the most harmful drugs, has advanced plans to reclassify cannabis. Guidelines for police strategies on dealing with harmful drugs are also to include broader discretionary powers for officers to deal with offences.
Blunkett backs police strategy on drugs
Home Secretary, David Blunkett, underlining the Government's support for police strategies to combat the most harmful drugs, has advanced plans to reclassify cannabis. Guidelines for police strategies on dealing with harmful drugs are also to include broader discretionary powers for officers to deal with offences.
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