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Row looming over cannabis grading Row looming over cannabis grading
(20 minutes later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to reclassify cannabis as a Class B drug - against the advice of officials.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 (ACMD) says cannabis should stay a class C drug, the category to which it was downgraded under Tony Blair. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs says cannabis should stay a class C drug, the category to which it was downgraded under Tony Blair.
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.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.
The Tories want cannabis to be Class B. Lib Dems want ministers to heed advice.The Tories want cannabis to be Class B. Lib Dems want ministers to heed advice.
Penalty clause 'Psychotic illness'
Ms Smith will make a statement to MPs on the government's stance. Ms Smith will make a statement to MPs on the government's stance at about 1240 BST.
In its report, the ACMD says cannabis should remain in "Class C" - but it calls for a public health campaign to reduce cannabis use among 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.
The document has been compiled by judges, doctors, police and drug counsellors also recommends stricter penalties for some suppliers.
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 BarnesDrugscopeThe 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. The report, Cannabis: Classification And Public Health, acknowledged the possible effect of the drug on mental health.
However, the council says the drug causes less harm than those in Class B, such as amphetamines and barbiturates. It said the evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use".
It argues that it should remain in Class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five. 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.
"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."
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'
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.
Their report says cannabis 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.
'No deterrent' 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 ACMD 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'
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".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".
But Martin Barnes, from the charity Drugscope, says Mr Brown should 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.
Scientific advise
"The young people that we see don't think about the classification of cannabis before they smoke weed," she said.
"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".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.