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Row looming over cannabis grading Row looming over cannabis grading
(10 minutes later)
A row is looming over cannabis grading - with official government advisors set to say it should remain class C, but ministers set to reject their advice. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to reclassify cannabis as a Class B drug - against the advice of officials.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will say cannabis is not harmful enough to be upgraded back to the more serious class B. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is understood to have argued that cannabis remains Class C, to which it was downgraded under Tony Blair.
But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to ignore the advice. But Gordon Brown is thought to be keen to reclassify to "B" as he is worried about the "more lethal" use of skunk - a stronger form of the drug.
Cannabis was downgraded from class B to C four years ago, but Gordon Brown has called stronger varieties "lethal". The Tories want cannabis to be Class B. Lib Dems want ministers to heed advice.
'Concerted effort' Penalty clause
In its report, to be published later, the council makes 20 recommendations. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) publishes its report later, as Ms Smith is set to make a statement to MPs on the government's stance.
It calls for stricter penalties for dealing the drug in schools, mental health hospitals and prisons. The document has been compiled by judges, doctors, police and drug counsellors who are believed to have concluded that cannabis should remain Class C.
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
Among its 20 recommendations, it calls for stricter penalties for dealing the drug in schools, mental health hospitals and prisons.
It also says ministers should set up a "concerted" public health campaign to reduce the use of cannabis among young people.It also says ministers should set up a "concerted" public health campaign to reduce the use of cannabis among young people.
However, the council says the drug causes less harm than those in class B, such as amphetamines and barbiturates. However, the council says the drug causes less harm than those in Class B, such as amphetamines and barbiturates.
It argues that it should remain in class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five. It argues that it should remain in Class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five.
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 council did not look at the message conveyed to the public or the impact on policing, which it is not legally obliged to do. 'No deterrent'
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said this would give the home secretary "grounds to disregard the panel's advice - and restore cannabis to class B". The ACMD did not look at the message conveyed to the public or the impact on policing, which it is not legally obliged to do.
'Unacceptable' BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said this would give the home secretary "grounds to disregard the panel's advice - and restore cannabis to Class B".
Ms Smith will give the government's response to the council's report in a statement to MPs. But Martin Barnes, from the charity Drugscope, says Mr Brown should listen to the experts.
Last month, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted to "send a message" to young people that using cannabis was "unacceptable". "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.
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 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 added that he was worried about the "more lethal" use of skunk - a strong form of the drug. Scientific advise
Cannabis was downgraded to class C - which includes substances such as anabolic steroids - from class B, in 2004. It means possession is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence. "The young people that we see don't think about the classification of cannabis before they smoke weed," she said.
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. "They don't understand the system and it doesn't deter them."
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 anabolic steroids - 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.Home Office research published in February suggested skunk dominates the UK market - comprising 70% to 80% of samples seized by police.