becky420
05-07-2008, 07:28 AM
Cannabis upgraded to Class B drug
© ITN 2008
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has confirmed in the House of Commons that cannabis will be upgraded from a Class C to a Class B drug.
Ms Smith defied the Government's own experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which concluded that the health dangers from cannabis did not justify its inclusion in the higher category.
A report from the group said scientific evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use". However, it said in the population as a whole, the drug played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions.
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown wanted the drug, which was downgraded to Class C under Tony Blair, moved back to class B amid particular concerns about the prevalence of the stronger "skunk" variety.
Mr Brown wants youngsters to be in no doubt the Government does not approve of cannabis use, after protests that its class C status sent out mixed messages.
The ACMD published its report - which was passed to ministers last week - as Ms Smith made her statement to MPs.
The report has been compiled by a group of experts, including doctors, police, judges and drug counsellors, who are thought to have concluded that cannabis should remain class C.
Ms Smith told the Commons that, despite the experts' conclusions, the Government was determined to "err on the side of caution".
She said: "I have given the council's report careful consideration. Of the council's 21 recommendations I accept all bar those relating to classification.
"I have decided to reclassify cannabis to a Class B drug, subject to Parliamentary approval."
She added: "There is a compelling case for us to act now rather than risk the future health of young people.
"Where there is a clear and serious problem, but doubt about the harm that will be caused, we must err on the side of caution and protect the public.
"I make no apology for that - I am not prepared to 'wait and see'."
Jane Harris, of the mental health charity Rethink, said reclassifying cannabis would make little difference and education is what is really needed.
She said the charity wants the Government to make it compulsory for warnings about cannabis to be put on packets of rolling paper.
She said: "We have written to every single rolling paper company we can think of, asking them to do this as a voluntary measure and they have all said no.
"What we really want is health education. The Government promised a massive public education campaign three years ago. We have seen none of that.
"When you look at smoking, they have put millions into that and it's made a difference
© ITN 2008
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has confirmed in the House of Commons that cannabis will be upgraded from a Class C to a Class B drug.
Ms Smith defied the Government's own experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which concluded that the health dangers from cannabis did not justify its inclusion in the higher category.
A report from the group said scientific evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use". However, it said in the population as a whole, the drug played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions.
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown wanted the drug, which was downgraded to Class C under Tony Blair, moved back to class B amid particular concerns about the prevalence of the stronger "skunk" variety.
Mr Brown wants youngsters to be in no doubt the Government does not approve of cannabis use, after protests that its class C status sent out mixed messages.
The ACMD published its report - which was passed to ministers last week - as Ms Smith made her statement to MPs.
The report has been compiled by a group of experts, including doctors, police, judges and drug counsellors, who are thought to have concluded that cannabis should remain class C.
Ms Smith told the Commons that, despite the experts' conclusions, the Government was determined to "err on the side of caution".
She said: "I have given the council's report careful consideration. Of the council's 21 recommendations I accept all bar those relating to classification.
"I have decided to reclassify cannabis to a Class B drug, subject to Parliamentary approval."
She added: "There is a compelling case for us to act now rather than risk the future health of young people.
"Where there is a clear and serious problem, but doubt about the harm that will be caused, we must err on the side of caution and protect the public.
"I make no apology for that - I am not prepared to 'wait and see'."
Jane Harris, of the mental health charity Rethink, said reclassifying cannabis would make little difference and education is what is really needed.
She said the charity wants the Government to make it compulsory for warnings about cannabis to be put on packets of rolling paper.
She said: "We have written to every single rolling paper company we can think of, asking them to do this as a voluntary measure and they have all said no.
"What we really want is health education. The Government promised a massive public education campaign three years ago. We have seen none of that.
"When you look at smoking, they have put millions into that and it's made a difference