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Cannabis laws to be strengthened Cannabis laws to be strengthened
(about 1 hour 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 that because of the "increased strength" of some types she wanted to reverse Tony Blair's 2004 downgrading of the drug to class C.
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.
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".
'Psychotic illness''Psychotic illness'
Ms Smith announced the change - which is subject to Parliamentary approval - during a statement to MPs. The maximum penalty for possession of a class B drug is five years in prison, whereas it is two years for a class C drug.
She said the move was part of a "relentless drive" to tackle drugs and to protect the "future health of young people". Since cannabis was downgraded there has been widespread concern about the increased prevalence of stronger "skunk" varieties.
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. SKUNK So-called because it has a very strong smellThree times stronger than other types of cannabisContains much higher levels of the active ingredient - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Now accounts for between 70 and 80% of samples seized by police Six years ago it accounted for 15% of samples
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 Ms Smith said this now accounted for 80% of the cannabis seized on the streets and the drug was nearly three times stronger than in 1995.
The report, Cannabis: Classification And Public Health, acknowledged the possible effect of the drug on mental health. She added that the government's change of heart - which is subject to parliamentary approval - was part of a "relentless drive".
It said the evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use". Ms Smith told MPs: "There is a compelling case for us to act now, rather than risk the future health of young people.
However, in the population as a whole, cannabis played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions, it said. "Where there is a clear and serious problem, but doubt about the potential harm that will be caused, we must err on the side of caution and protect the public.
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. "I make no apology for that - I am not prepared to 'wait and see'."
"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. In its report, Cannabis: Classification And Public Health, the advisory council described cannabis as a "significant public health issue".
"However, the ACMD wishes to emphasise that cannabis is still a significant public health issue." But it said it should still remain a class C drug, as the risks were not as serious as those of class B substances, such as amphetamines and barbiturates.
The council called for a concerted public health response to reduce the use of cannabis, with particular emphasis placed on targeting young people. The report said the evidence suggested a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use".
'Very concerned' However, in the population as a whole, it played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions.
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. Council chairman Sir Michael Rawlings told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "The strength of things like skunk hasn't really changed very much over the last few years but it's now more widely used... The question of potency is a very complex area."
They recommend stricter penalties for some suppliers. Campaign
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.
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' Sir Michael added: "The government may want to take other matters into account. That's their right. They are the government."
Ms Smith said she accepted the vast majority of the advisory council's recommendations, but disagreed on the classification of the drug. In its report the council called for a campaign to reduce the use of cannabis, particularly focusing on young people.
Penalties for drug offences
It also voiced concern over the prevalence of domestic cannabis farms supplying the market and the involvement of organised criminal networks.
Ms Smith said she accepted the vast majority of the council's recommendations, but not 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. Last month he said he wanted to "send a message" to young people that using the substance was "unacceptable". Class C includes substances such as tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (so-called "liquid ecstasy") and ketamine - from class B. Possession of class C drugs is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence.
"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. Shadow home secretary David Davis said that the government's reversal of its earlier decision showed the downgrading of cannabis had been a mistake.
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. He also accused ministers of "dithering" by commissioning a report when they could have acted last summer.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">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 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4745">Send us your comments Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said that, as its advice had been disregarded, ministers should disband the advisory council of experts and replace it with an advisory council of "tabloid newspaper editors".
Last month, Mr Brown said he wanted to "send a message" to young people that using cannabis was "unacceptable". Labour MP Chris Mullin, who was chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee when it recommended that cannabis was downgraded to class C, said: "The government should follow the advice of the experts rather than that of the tabloids."
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.
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 POSSESSION

Drug 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

PENALTIES FOR DRUG DEALING AND POSSESSION

Drug 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
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