CANNABIS COULD BE RAISED TO CLASS B IN U-TURN

The Government could make a dramatic U-turn on cannabis and raise its
classification from Class C to Class B, only three years after it was
downgraded.

The Home Office today confirmed it had asked its Advisory Council on
the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to carry out a review in to whether there
is a need to reclassify the drug "given the increasing strength of
some cannabis strains" and their potential health impacts.

The review, commissioned by Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, was
announced by Gordon Brown today.

If the drug is reclassified, reflecting its perceived increased
health risks, it would raise maximum penalties for those caught in
possession from two years in prison up to five.

It would also mark a significant turnaround by the Government. In
2004 the then-Home Secretary David Blunkett took the reverse decision
to downgrade it from Class B to Class C. This was mainly perceived to
have been taken because the drug's casual use was so widespread that
it was considered impossible to effectively police, so forces'
priorities were to be given to other substances.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today in the House of Commons,
however, Mr Brown said that Ms Smith would publish a consultation
document next week announcing a review of drugs strategy, including
the reclassification of cannabis.

"She will be asking the public to comment on new ways in which we can
improve drugs education in the country, give support to people
undergoing treatment ... and give support for communities who want to
chase out drug dealers from their communities," he said.

"As part of the consultation - and the Cabinet discussed this
yesterday - the Home Secretary will also consult on whether it is now
right that cannabis should be moved from Class C to Class B."

In a statement following Mr Brown's announcement, a Home Office
spokeswoman said: "We will be asking the Advisory Council on the
Misuse of Drugs to carry out a review on the classification of
cannabis given the increasing strength of some cannabis strains and
their potential harms.

"But it would be wrong to prejudice that review, which shows how
seriously we take our priorities of reducing drug-related harm."

Making cannabis a Class B drug would put it on a par with drugs like
barbiturates and amphetamines, and would reflect increasing health
concerns associated with it, including increasing worries about the
rising number of cases of psychosis.

In line with those concerns, an earlier review was commissioned in
March 2005 which acknowledged the health risks, but recommended that
the classification remained the same.