MOVES TO RELAX THE LAWS ON CANNABIS

A MAJOR inquiry into Britain's drugs laws, backed by Prince Charles, will
call for moves towards the decriminalisation of cannabis.

The study will also say the Government should admit Ecstasy is a "soft"
relatively harmless drug and no longer a Class A substance alongside heroin
and cocaine.

Today's edition of The Economist discloses that the Prince's Trust-funded
investigation by the police Foundation calls for significant relaxation of
some drug laws.

The report, out this spring, is certain to provoke controversy.

The Economist reveals that the most controversial recommendation urges the
Government to relax punishments for cannabis so that no one is ever jailed
for possession.

Currently possession can be punished by up to seven years in jail. The
"depenalisation" of cannabis isn't the same as decriminalisation. It would
still be a criminal offence to have the drug, but some sources suggest the
move would lead to the acceptance of the sale of cannabis in small
quantities.

The report will also suggest Ecstasy, reportedly used by 500,000 people
every weekend, be downgraded.

The committee wants a lesser charge of supplying drugs socially to
distinguish between dealers selling for profit and individuals getting small
quantities for friends.

Jack Straw and Tony Blair are likely to be lukewarm about the proposals.
They believe they may send the wrong message when concerns about
drug-related crime are dominating the Government's legislative programme.