BLUNKETT GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH GOVERNMENT OVER PLANS TO RAISE
CANNABIS TO CLASS B STATUS

The former home secretary said: "Rather than affecting practice on
the ground, classifying cannabis back to class B now would simply
cause confusion."

Defending his decision to downgrade the drug, a move likely to be
reversed by Jacqui Smith, the current Home Secretary, Mr Blunkett
said his desire for "honest" policing played a part in his decision
to reclassify cannabis in 2004.

"Classifying cannabis as class C is a much more honest approach both
politically and in terms of how the drug is policed, rather than
tackling what was a class B drug with a class C approach, as happened
in the past."

His comments came as the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
(ACMD) prepares to take new evidence on cannabis amid growing
speculation that reclassification is a fait accompli.

Unlike Mr Blunkett, who "never felt the need" to indulge in cannabis
use, Ms Smith has admitted using cannabis as a student. She believes
there is growing evidence of links between cannabis and mental
illness. In her letter to the ACMD, she expressed concern
particularly over "the use of stronger forms of the drug, commonly
known as skunk".

The Association of Chief Police Officers is now calling for cannabis
to revert to its class B status.

The mental health charity Rethink is calling on the cigarette paper
manufacturer Rizla to include the warning: "Cannabis use can destroy
your mental health."

Imperial Tobacco, which makes the papers, dismissed the plea. "This
is a question for the Government," said a company spokesman.
"Cannabis is illegal and our products are not intended for that purpose."