BLAIR TO DECLARE WAR ON CANNABIS

The Government is to tighten its policy on the way police and the courts
treat cannabis users. The move will put the Prime Minister and the Home
Secretary at odds with the "drugs tsar", Keith Hellawell, and Cabinet
enforcer Mo Mowlam.

Tony Blair and Jack Straw are determined to end the system, highlighted
today in an exclusive survey by the Independent on Sunday, which allows
police and magistrates in some areas almost to turn a blind eye to pot
smoking, whilst in other areas tough sentences are imposed.

Despite pressure from Dr Mowlam and Mr Hellawell who both advocate greater
tolerance of cannabis use, the Prime Minister, who has pledged to take a
personal interest in drugs policy from now on, wants government policy to
emphasise that possession of cannabis remains illegal.

Mr Blair is understood to share Mr Straw's view that decriminalising
cannabis would muddy the waters in the Government's campaign against drug
abuse. Dr Mowlam and Mr Hellawell will meet the Prime Minister on Wednesday
to discuss drugs seizures and policy. Mr Blair's intervention is a clear
admission that the Government's drugs strategy has not been effective.

Ministers are also privately admitting that there is a substantial
difference of opinion over how cannabis should be dealt with. A ministerial
source said: "There is a difference in emphasis between what Mo and others
are saying and the view in the Home Office, where it is felt that to enter
into a debate about changes to the law on cannabis would not send out the
right message. It could confuse our efforts to deal with the use and supply
of harder drugs like heroin and cocaine." The source also admitted: "The
policy on drugs hasn't worked across Government. We haven't worked across
departments as we should. But there are steps being taken now to change
that."

Ministers from the Treasury, the Department of Health, the Cabinet Office,
Home Office and Foreign Office are now meeting regularly. Mr Blair's pledge
to play a direct role in drugs policy is a clear indication of the
commitment to end the disarray.

The move towards a harmonised system of policing cannabis use will be
carried out in consultation with the police. New sentencing guidelines are
also likely in an attempt to iron out inconsistencies between forces on a
range of offences, including traffic violations.

But Mr Hellawell told the Independent on Sunday that police efforts should
be focused on more harmful drugs. "I don't support the legalisation or
decriminalisation of cannabis, but the police must be allowed to use their
discretion. Each case must be judged on its merits."