HOWARD PROMISES TO REVERSE RELAXATION OF LAWS AGAINST CANNABIS USE

MICHAEL Howard launched his first major proposal since he became leader of
the Conservative Party yesterday by promising to reverse Tony Blair's
decision to downgrade the offence of smoking cannabis.

In a pitch at middle England, Mr Howard denounced Mr Blair's decision to
make cannabis a Class C drug in England - and said he would restore its
status as a drug as dangerous and threatening to individual and communal
well-being as heroin and cocaine.

But David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, opened up a fresh political debate
by challenging Mr Howard on whether he ever smoked marijuana - and whether
he would liked to have been criminalised had he been caught.

In what was billed as a brave decision - which shows the Tories taking a
controversial stance rather than courting popularity - Mr Howard said that
a Conservative government would ensure that anyone caught smoking cannabis
would be arrested, rather than simply given a warning.

"After thinking about this very carefully, we have come to the view that
the government's decision is misconceived and when we return to office, we
will reclassify cannabis back to Class B," he said.

Mr Blunkett's changes introduced a "muddle" which would send a signal to
young people that cannabis was legal and safe, when it was not, he said.

Mr Blunkett was yesterday launching a UKP1 million government advertising
campaign to sat that cannabis was still illegal and a reportable crime -
even though it is now in the same category as being drunk and disorderly.

Introducing his policy on BBC radio yesterday, Mr Blunkett said: "Let's ask
him (Mr Howard) 'Did you ever smoke it' I never smoked cannabis. But if I
had, I would be quite transparent about it because 40-odd per cent of under
30s have."

He added that the offence is so common that it should not take up so many
police resources. "I don't want to actually end up chasing them rather than
actually chasing the dealers and the people who kill young people with
crack and heroin."

Downing Street was then asked whether Mr Blair had smoked cannabis in his
student days. Mr Blunkett had said: "He played the guitar very well, but it
is not synonymous with having a puff."

No 10 said that Mr Blunkett was not being serious, and withdrew the
question to Mr Howard on Mr Blair's behalf. "It was all political
knockabout, and should be seen in that context," said a spokesman.

Mr Blunkett's policy has also opened up a fresh policy rift with Scotland -
where cannabis users will be punished in the same way as before.

In a departure from the unspoken assumption that drug laws would be the
same throughout the UK, Hugh Henry, the deputy justice minister, said Mr
Blunkett 's writ does not extend beyond the Border.

"In Scotland the police will operate in the same way they have been
operating up till now," he said. "In Scotland, our view remains consistent.
There is no change, the police will act in the way they have always acted,
and the advice from the Crown Office will remain as it was before."

Different police and prosecution procedures in Scotland mean it will be
procurator fiscals who decide if a person should be prosecuted for a
cannabis offence, Executive officials said.

In England police can decide in many cases whether or not to launch
criminal proceedings, but that is not open to police in Scotland.
Guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers ahead of the
cannabis reclassification do not apply to Scottish forces.

The Scottish Tories said this has exposed a state of confusion over the
issue. "Having declared a serious substance less serious, Westminster is
now spending UKP1 million to say cannabis is serious," said Annabel Goldie,
the Tory justice spokesperson.

The British Medical Association has warned that chronic cannabis smoking
can increase the likelihood of heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and
emphysema. Psychiatrists have linked the drug to cases of psychosis.