CLASSIFYING CANNABIS

There Are Numerous Very Compelling Reasons For Restoring Cannabis To
Class B

Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring
cannabis to Class B. In 2002 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of
Drugs (ACMD) - which will soon complete its latest report on the
subject, with oral evidence being heard on February 5 - said: "Since
cannabis use has only been commonplace in the past 30 years there may
be worse news to come."

That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents
highlighted in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to
the Social Justice Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and
updated this month. The worst of it is undoubtedly the
neuro-psychological damage suffered by the increasingly younger users
among the 500 people per week seeking treatment for cannabis use.
When cannabis was downgraded in 2004 we were promised a public health
campaign on cannabis and mental illness.

Further impairment of the central nervous system is evidenced in the
changed personality and declining academic performance, dependence,
aggression, adversely affected driving and progression to other
drugs, all covered in this comprehensive scientific document, sent
to the ACMD and endorsed by the undersigned. Also reported are the
harms caused to the immune, reproductive, cardiovascular and
respiratory systems.

The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals, not only to the
young people of Britain but all over the world, where other countries
are watching our every move.

Professor Heather Ashton

Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of
Newcastle

Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP

Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor in Chief, The
Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice

Dr Ian Oliver

Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian Police and
International Consultant on Drugs to the UN

Dr Anthony Seldon

Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett

Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs

David Raynes

International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs Enforcement
Consultant and member of the International task Force on Strategic
Drug Policy