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Cannabis group discusses reclassification |
Cannabis could become a Class B substance again after Government drug advisers meet to discuss its impact on society.
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced a review on its classification as soon as he became Prime Minister.
Cannabis was downgraded from Class B to Class C four years ago but fears that it could be linked to mental illness have prompted a rethink. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will hear the latest evidence about the impact of the drug and will make a decision on whether to recommend moving the drug back into Class B in the next few months. |  |
Mr Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith - who have the final say on classification - are believed to support tougher penalties.
And Whitehall sources have suggested they may propose moving dope back to Class B regardless of the ACMD's conclusions.
The ACMD's meeting in London's Docklands will hear presentations from Professor Glyn Lewis of Bristol University's psychiatry unit about the link between cannabis and psychosis.
Dr Mike White of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) will give latest details about the content of the active ingredient THC found in recent seizures of cannabis.
Expert Marije Wouters of the University of Amsterdam will present findings on the smoking behaviour of cannabis users, and Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) spokesman on cannabis, Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne, will also give evidence.
Debra Bell of the Talking About Cannabis Parental Action Group will call on the ACMD to reclassify dope to Class B.
She said: "Skunk cannabis is one of the evils of our time. I'm not talking about it just being a gateway drug. It is dangerous in itself."
ACMD members expected to make a recommendation to the Home Secretary in April.
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