This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7386889.stm
The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Cannabis laws to be strengthened | Cannabis laws to be strengthened |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The home secretary has said cannabis is to be reclassified as a class B drug. | The home secretary has said cannabis is to be reclassified as a class B drug. |
| Jacqui Smith told MPs she wanted to reverse Tony Blair's 2004 downgrading of the drug to class C because of the "increased strength" of cannabis. | Jacqui Smith told MPs she wanted to reverse Tony Blair's 2004 downgrading of the drug to class C because of the "increased strength" of cannabis. |
| She highlighted "uncertainty at the least" on the future impact on young people's mental health from cannabis. | She highlighted "uncertainty at the least" on the future impact on young people's mental health from cannabis. |
| Her decision came despite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' review - commissioned by Gordon Brown - saying the drug should stay as class C. | Her decision came despite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' review - commissioned by Gordon Brown - saying the drug should stay as class C. |
| Shadow home secretary David Davis said that the decision showed the 2004 downgrading of the drug had been a mistake. | Shadow home secretary David Davis said that the decision showed the 2004 downgrading of the drug had been a mistake. |
| He also accused the government of "dithering" by commissioning a report when they could have acted last summer. | He also accused the government of "dithering" by commissioning a report when they could have acted last summer. |
| Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said that, as their advice had been disregarded, ministers should disband the advisory council of experts and replace them with an advisory council of "tabloid newspaper editors". | Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said that, as their advice had been disregarded, ministers should disband the advisory council of experts and replace them with an advisory council of "tabloid newspaper editors". |
| 'Psychotic illness' | 'Psychotic illness' |
| Ms Smith announced the change - which is subject to Parliamentary approval - during a statement to MPs. | Ms Smith announced the change - which is subject to Parliamentary approval - during a statement to MPs. |
| She said the move was part of a "relentless drive" to tackle drugs and to protect the "future health of young people". | She said the move was part of a "relentless drive" to tackle drugs and to protect the "future health of young people". |
| In its report, the advisory council described cannabis as a "significant public health issue" but said it should still remain a class C drug, as the health risks were not as serious as those of class B substances, such as amphetamines and barbiturates. | In its report, the advisory council described cannabis as a "significant public health issue" but said it should still remain a class C drug, as the health risks were not as serious as those of class B substances, such as amphetamines and barbiturates. |
| The advisory council will be saying, as they did in their previous report, that rather than base policy on speculation or anxiety, it needs to be based on evidence Martin BarnesDrugscope | The advisory council will be saying, as they did in their previous report, that rather than base policy on speculation or anxiety, it needs to be based on evidence Martin BarnesDrugscope |
| The report, Cannabis: Classification And Public Health, acknowledged the possible effect of the drug on mental health. | The report, Cannabis: Classification And Public Health, acknowledged the possible effect of the drug on mental health. |
| It said the evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use". | It said the evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use". |
| However, in the population as a whole, cannabis played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions, it said. | However, in the population as a whole, cannabis played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions, it said. |
| Sir Michael Rawlings, chair of the advisory council, said: "Cannabis can unquestionably cause harm to individuals and society and the ACMD (the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) is very concerned about its widespread use, particularly among young people. | Sir Michael Rawlings, chair of the advisory council, said: "Cannabis can unquestionably cause harm to individuals and society and the ACMD (the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) is very concerned about its widespread use, particularly among young people. |
| "After careful scrutiny of the available evidence, the ACMD considers - based on its harmfulness to individuals and society - that cannabis should remain a Class C substance. | "After careful scrutiny of the available evidence, the ACMD considers - based on its harmfulness to individuals and society - that cannabis should remain a Class C substance. |
| "However, the ACMD wishes to emphasise that cannabis is still a significant public health issue." | "However, the ACMD wishes to emphasise that cannabis is still a significant public health issue." |
| The council called for a concerted public health response to reduce the use of cannabis, with particular emphasis placed on targeting young people. | The council called for a concerted public health response to reduce the use of cannabis, with particular emphasis placed on targeting young people. |
| 'Very concerned' | 'Very concerned' |
| The committee, which includes judges, doctors, police and drug counsellors, also voiced concern about the prevalence of domestic cannabis farms supplying the market and the involvement of organised criminal networks. | The committee, which includes judges, doctors, police and drug counsellors, also voiced concern about the prevalence of domestic cannabis farms supplying the market and the involvement of organised criminal networks. |
| They recommend stricter penalties for some suppliers. | They recommend stricter penalties for some suppliers. |
| Their report says cannabis should remain in class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five. | Their report says cannabis should remain in class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five. |
| Penalties for drug offences | |
| But, during the inquiry, "a minority" of council members disagreed, saying they were "very concerned" about the mental health risks of the widespread availability of more potent forms of the drug. | But, during the inquiry, "a minority" of council members disagreed, saying they were "very concerned" about the mental health risks of the widespread availability of more potent forms of the drug. |
| The advisory council did not look at the message conveyed to the public or the impact on policing, which it is not legally obliged to do. | The advisory council did not look at the message conveyed to the public or the impact on policing, which it is not legally obliged to do. |
| 'Sending a message' | 'Sending a message' |
| Ms Smith said she accepted the vast majority of the advisory council's recommendations, but disagreed on the classification of the drug. | Ms Smith said she accepted the vast majority of the advisory council's recommendations, but disagreed on the classification of the drug. |
| And Gordon Brown said at prime minister's questions that he believed making cannabis a class B drug was supported by the public and the police. | And Gordon Brown said at prime minister's questions that he believed making cannabis a class B drug was supported by the public and the police. |
| Martin Barnes, from the charity Drugscope, urged Mr Brown to listen to the experts. | Martin Barnes, from the charity Drugscope, urged Mr Brown to listen to the experts. |
| "The advisory council will be saying, as they did in their previous report, that rather than base policy on speculation or anxiety, it needs to be based on evidence," he said. | "The advisory council will be saying, as they did in their previous report, that rather than base policy on speculation or anxiety, it needs to be based on evidence," he said. |
| Deborah Cameron, of the drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction, said education was needed, adding that changing the classification of cannabis would do little to deter people from smoking it. | Deborah Cameron, of the drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction, said education was needed, adding that changing the classification of cannabis would do little to deter people from smoking it. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYAs an ex police officer, I would be happy with a policy which simply confiscated and cautioned for the possession of cannabis Steve, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYAs an ex police officer, I would be happy with a policy which simply confiscated and cautioned for the possession of cannabis Steve, UK Send us your comments |
| Last month, Mr Brown said he wanted to "send a message" to young people that using cannabis was "unacceptable". | Last month, Mr Brown said he wanted to "send a message" to young people that using cannabis was "unacceptable". |
| Cannabis was downgraded to class C - which includes substances such as tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (so-called "liquid ecstasy") and ketamine - from class B, in 2004. It means possession is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence. | Cannabis was downgraded to class C - which includes substances such as tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (so-called "liquid ecstasy") and ketamine - from class B, in 2004. It means possession is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence. |
| The Conservatives have called for cannabis to be returned to class B, while the Liberal Democrats have urged the government to be more open about the scientific advise it receives. | The Conservatives have called for cannabis to be returned to class B, while the Liberal Democrats have urged the government to be more open about the scientific advise it receives. |
| Home Office research published in February suggested skunk dominates the UK market - comprising 70% to 80% of samples seized by police. | Home Office research published in February suggested skunk dominates the UK market - comprising 70% to 80% of samples seized by police. |
PENALTIES FOR DRUG DEALING AND POSSESSIONDrug class Type of drug Possession Dealing Class A Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared for injection). Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both. Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both. Class B Amphetamines, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine. Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine or both. Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both. Class C Cannabis, tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine. Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both. Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both Source: Home Offfice | |
| Return to story |