Political Storm Stirring Over Classification Of Cannabis

Political figures are expected to clash today (May 7th) after it emerged that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is preparing to reclassify cannabis to a Class B drug.

The Governments decision, which Whitehall officials say is backed strongly by Primer Minister Gordon Brown, goes against a new report which says the drug should remain class C.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which quizzed police, doctors, judges and drug counsellors, believe the drug causes less harm than class B drugs, such as amphetamines.

It says that their should be tighter laws in tackling drug problems in schools, in addition to a more “concerted” public health campaign to reduce drug use amongst young people.

In an interview about a preliminary version of the report last week, Gordon Brown expressed his concern over the “more lethal” form of the drug, skunk.

The Prime Minister said that the Government “have got to send a message” with tougher drug laws.

Cannabis was downgraded to a class C drug by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

It’s believed that the Conservative Party supports the reclassification, where as the Liberal Democrats would rather ministers used the advice of the report, reports the BBC.

Ms Smith will deliver her statement on the issue to the House of Commons later.