CANNABIS RECLASSIFICATION A 'FARCE' SAYS EASTLEIGH MP CHRIS HUHNE

A LOCAL MP has labelled the government's decision to upgrade cannabis to a
class B drug as "a farce".

Eastleigh representative Chris Huhne said the move, which reverses the
drug's declassification in 2004, shows the government has completely
mishandled its approach to cannabis.

Although possessing cannabis has been made more serious, anyone caught
with it will not face an immediate fine as with other class B drugs, as
police have been advised to issue cautions for a first offence. Mr Huhne,
Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman, said: "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."