CHANGE IN DRUGS LAW MAY BACKFIRE - MEP

New police advice on arresting cannabis users has been given a
cautious welcome by North West Euro MP Chris Davies.

When cannabis is reclassified in January, users will only be arrested
in specific circumstances, such as smoking near children or in public
view.

But Mr Davies says this is only a small step by the government and
reclassifying the drug still leaves major contradictions in the law.

He fears the government's decision to increase the maximum penalty for
supplying the drug to 14 years will create further problems.

"If dealers are going to face 14 years in prison for the supply of
cannabis, there is no incentive not to sell other drugs as well," said
Mr Davies, former MP for Littleborough and Saddleworth.

"Cannabis users may be pushed into the hands of heroin dealers.
Instead, the government should be working to break the link between
soft and hard drugs."

Last year the Liberal Democrat MEP pleaded guilty to defying the law
at a demonstration in Stockport when he held up a small quantity of
cannabis resin, stuck to the back of a postage stamp, to show his
support for establishing Dutch-style cannabis coffee shops.