03/02/2008 00:00:00
UK: Blunkett goes head to head with Government over plans to raise
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Blunkett goes head to head with Government over plans to raise cannabis
to class B status.
David Blunkett has criticised a government plan to take a tougher line
on cannabis, saying that reversing his decision to downgrade the drug to
class C would send mixed legal signals.
The former home secretary said: "Rather than affecting practice on the
ground, classifying cannabis back to class B now would simply cause
confusion."
Defending his decision to downgrade the drug, a move likely to be
reversed by Jacqui Smith, the current Home Secretary, Mr Blunkett said
his desire for "honest" policing played a part in his decision to
reclassify cannabis in 2004.
"Classifying cannabis as class C is a much more honest approach both
politically and in terms of how the drug is policed, rather than
tackling what was a class B drug with a class C approach, as happened in
the past."
His comments came as the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)
prepares to take new evidence on cannabis amid growing speculation that
reclassification is a fait accompli.
Unlike Mr Blunkett, who "never felt the need" to indulge in cannabis
use, Ms Smith has admitted using cannabis as a student. She believes
there is growing evidence of links between cannabis and mental illness.
In her letter to the ACMD, she expressed concern particularly over "the
use of stronger formsof the drug, commonly known as skunk".
The Association of Chief Police Officers is now calling for cannabis to
revert to its class B status.
The mental health charity Rethink is calling on the cigarette paper
manufacturer Rizla to include the warning: "Cannabis use can destroy
your mental health."
Imperial Tobacco, which makes the papers, dismissed the plea. "This is a
question for the Government," said a company spokesman. "Cannabis is
illegal and our products are not intended for that purpose."
http://www.independent.co.uk
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13239
Author:
The Independent via UKCIA
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