CANNABIS CHANGES AGREED BY LORDS

Peers have backed a move to downgrade cannabis, putting it in the same
group as tranquilisers and steroids.

The reclassification of the drug from Class B to C - meaning people
will not usually be arrested for possession - will now go ahead in
January

The change was approved in the Lords by 63 votes to 37, but peers also
agreed an amendment attacking the plans. "It may lead to increased use
of cannabis, with risks to the health of young people," they said.

'Risky'

In the amendment, moved by Tory peer Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts,
they added that the government should have waited to deal with
cannabis until after its proposals for making penalties tougher for
all Class C drugs had been finalised. The amendment has no legal
effect, however, and the reclassification will come into force on 29
January as planned.

Home Office minister Baroness Scotland of Asthal said any approach to
the drugs problem was risky, "but we believe that our strategy
outlined here provides the best possible opportunity to get
credibility into our drugs education".

Before the Lords passed the amendment, the reclassification came under
fire from both Labour and Tory sides.

Labour's Baroness Howells of St Davids said cannabis was a
mind-altering drug which "has a ravaging effect on the brain".

Lord Waddington, former Tory home secretary and ex-governor of
Bermuda, said: "It has come close to ruining the life of someone very
close to me who has suffered from schizophrenia caused by cannabis
use, so don't tell me that it is pretty harmless."

'Sound Evidence'

Labour's Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, former president of the
Police Superintendents' Association, said: "If you liberalise the use
of drugs, more people will take them. Holland is a good example."

The changes mean most people caught in possession of cannabis will
receive only a warning and will have the drug confiscated.

Dealers, however, could face up to 14 years in jail.

Police will also retain the power to arrest users in special
circumstances, such as when the drug is smoked outside schools.

The reclassification has been criticised for sending out confusing
messages on cannabis and drugs in general.

But the government believes the chance will free police to spend more
time dealing with more harmful Class A drugs like crack cocaine and
heroin, which account for more crime.

At the moment, about 80,000 people are arrested and fined for cannabis
possession every year.

Lesley King-Lewis, of the charity Action on Addiction, said: "When the
reclassification comes into force in January we should be prepared for
a possible increase in cannabis use by young people in particular.

"As many as one in 10 cannabis users become addicted.

"Cannabis use is associated with cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat,
oesophagus and lung and reductions in fertility as well as with mental
illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.

"Many of these risks are shared by alcohol and tobacco.

"It is important that there are prevention programmes carefully
designed to present a balanced view of the relative harms of cannabis,
alcohol and tobacco which are targeted to 'at risk' groups."