RELAX MARIJUANA LAWS, BRITISH OFFICIAL SAYS

Britain's marijuana laws should be relaxed to give police more time
to battle harder drugs, the nation's top law enforcement official
said Tuesday.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said reclassifying marijuana, or
cannabis, as a "Class C drug" -- putting it in the same category as
anabolic steroids -- would not be the same as decriminalization or
legalization. However, such a change means that those possessing
marijuana would not be subject to arrest.

"Cannabis would remain a controlled drug, and using it a criminal
offense ... but it would make clearer the distinction between
cannabis and Class A drugs like heroin and cocaine," Blunkett told a
House of Commons committee meeting.