SCIENTISTS PAVE WAY FOR RADICAL CHANGE IN DRUG LAWS

GOVERNMENT scientists yesterday cleared the way for a softening of the law
on cannabis, insisting that it was a less addictive and dangerous substance
than alcohol.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which was appointed by David
Blunkett, the Home Secretary, to explore the potential of softer penalties
for cannabis users, said the drug "is not associated with major health
problems for the individual or society".

The expert group went further and claimed that while cannabis can pose a
risk for people with heart problems, it is not as dangerous as other drugs
which are also Class B, such as amphetamine.

Their findings will dismay some anti-drugs campaigners who believe cannabis
is a "gateway" substance than can lead users on to abuse Class A drugs,
such as heroin.

Mr Blunkett signalled his intention last October to downgrade cannabis from
Class B - one grade down from cocaine and ecstasy - to Class C, the same as
steroids and some sleeping pills.

The advisory council report published yesterday said: "The continuing
juxtaposition of cannabis with these more harmful Class B drugs erroneously
(and dangerously) suggests that their harmful effects are equivalent."

The report highlighted the dangers and damage done to society by the abuse
of alcohol, which it said was a more serious problem than cannabis use.

The findings unveiled yesterday had been widely expected, despite
opposition to any moves to reclassify cannabis by some anti-drugs campaigners.

There has been a marked softening of the government's approach to the drugs
over several months.

The report is certain to be the first step towards the biggest change in
the drugs laws - which apply both north and south of the Border as drugs
legislation is reserved to Westminster - in 30 years.

It would also be a remarkable change of heart for the Labour government
which, in 1997, pledged "zero tolerance" on drugs.

Both the Houses of Commons and Lords will have to vote on the issue before
the law can be changed, and the Home Secretary will have to wait until he
has received two further reports before he can ask parliament to consider
any review of the current legislation.

Mr Blunkett is waiting for the Metropolitan Police report of the Lambeth
experiment, where people caught with cannabis have been let off with a
warning and simply had the drug confiscated.

He is also due to receive a report on the government's drugs policies by
the Commons home affairs select committee.