Clarke orders review of cannabis policies

Saturday, 19 March 2005 12:00 AM

The Home Secretary has ordered a review of a decision to downgrade cannabis.

The decision to downgrade the drug from a class B to class C was taken in January 2004 under former Home Secretary David Blunkett, following recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. It made most cases of cannabis possession a non-arrestable offence.

However, a number of recent studies have suggested a strong link between cannabis and mental illness and Charles Clarke has asked independent advisors to look at its risk to health.

The Government's move comes as the Dutch government plans to introduce a higher classification for more potent types of cannabis.

Mr Clarke said in a letter to the chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs: "I think there is merit in the Advisory Council assessing whether their position is at all changed by the emerging evidence.

"I am aware the Dutch government are taking a particular interest in very high-strength strains and are considering whether cannabis above a certain strength should be a higher classification."

A New Zealand study suggested that regular cannabis use increases the risk of people developing psychotic symptoms later in life, such as schizophrenia.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "It is important to keep absolutely up to date on the position and take advice regularly from the scientific and medical experts."

The Conservative Party has pledged to return dope to Class B. The Tories said the review meant that the Government had recognised "they got this wrong".

"The downgrading of cannabis was a dreadful decision which sends out mixed messages to children about the dangers of drugs," Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said.

Mental health charities have welcomed the review.

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