MINISTERS ADVISED TO LEGALISE CANNABIS CAFES

THE Government's senior advisers on drugs will recommend this week that
legalising cannabis and selling it through a network of licensed cafes
would end many problems associated with its use.

A report is to be released on Tuesday by Drugscope, which is part of the
Government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs - the body which
advises ministers on drugs policy.

It will say that Amsterdam-style drugs cafes would cut deaths and reduce
the health problems associated with all drug use. The cafes would also, the
report states, destroy the link between cannabis and hard drugs such as
cocaine and heroin.

Drugscope's experts believe that the battle to stamp out cannabis use can
never be won.

Their report has already caused concern to ministers because it suggests
going much further than the intentions already announced by David Blunkett,
the Home Secretary, to downgrade the classification of cannabis and stop
police arresting people found with a small amount of the drug.

The report, which was written by Mike Ashton, the editor of the scientific
journal Drug and Alcohol Findings, says: "More liberal policies towards the
possession and use of small quantities of cannabis do not seem to have
increased cannabis use.

"Regulation may also break the linkage between cannabis and other illegal
drugs, thereby disrupting the link between the cannabis market and the
market for other illegal drugs.

The probability of progression on to other illicit substances may therefore
lessen. It is also reasonable to assume that following regulation, cannabis
may replace alcohol as the drug of choice among a segment of society.

"Should this occur, then the total damage to individuals and society may
possibly be less, as the medical and social risks of alcohol have been
shown to outweigh those of cannabis."

The report examines six options for future Government policy, ranging from
complete prohibition to giving the drug away free.

Oliver Letwin, the shadow home secretary, said that the Tories would oppose
the creation of legalised drug cafes. He said: "This idea sounds bizarre, I
cannot anticipate the Conservative Party backing this proposal."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Mr. Blunkett has already said that there
will be a review of policy towards cannabis and indicated it could be
reclassified. The results of the review have not been decided."