CANNABIS IS CLASS B DRUG

Cannabis users will still not face fines today - despite its upgrade
to a Class B drug.

Cops will be unable to hand out the ?80 fines intended as part of a
new "three strikes" regime due to a hold-up.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith decided to move the drug from Class C to
Class B last year, because of fears over the impact of stronger
strains of "skunk" on the mental health of young people.

Under the new regime, police should issue a warning to anyone caught
with cannabis for a first offence.

Second time offenders will get the ?80 fine and penalty
notice.

Prison

Anyone given a third "strike" will be arrested and could face an
unlimited fine and a prison sentence of up to five years.

The order in Parliament making cannabis use an offence punishable with
a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) was scheduled to pass last week.

It was bundled up with a group of other offences, including mini-cab
drivers hawking for business.

But because of opposition to some of the changes, the package of
measures was withdrawn for consultation, the Ministry of Justice said.

The cannabis order is not due to be debated in the House of Lords now
until Monday and will come in to force on Wednesday morning.

It has also emerged that not all police forces will record cannabis
warnings, meaning repeat offenders could escape fines or
prosecution.

A system for recording all cautions is not due to be introduced until
next year.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell warned the average age of
first-time cannabis users is now 13.

He said: "Cannabis is a harmful drug and while fewer people are taking
it than before, it poses a real risk to the health of those who do use
it.

"I am extremely concerned about the use of stronger cannabis - skunk -
and the harm it can cause to mental health.

"We are reclassifying cannabis to protect the public and future
generations."

Ms Smith, who has admitted smoking cannabis at university, announced
the decision to reclassify the drug in May last year.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This is the
final bungle in the Government's complete mishandling of cannabis
reclassification.

"The move to Class B has got nothing to do with public health and
education and everything to do with posturing on penalties.

"This farce would have been avoided had ministers heeded the advice of
the experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs."