New cannabis danger leads to new law

Jan 26 2009 by Alastair Gilmour, The Journal

A change of Government policy on drugs comes into force today. Alastair Gilmour reports on the reclassification of cannabis.

WHAT was previously regarded as a strong message on drugs use has become law. Gordon Brown has reversed a decision on the classification of cannabis made five years ago by his predecessor Tony Blair, despite advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) that it should remain a class C substance.

From today, cannabis is reclassified as a class B drug, the same category as amphetamines such as speed and barbiturates. This means enforcement of the law will be tougher – those caught in possession of cannabis could still get a warning on a first offence, but on a second offence they are likely face a fine of £80. If caught a third time they could be arrested. The ACMD has repeatedly called for cannabis to remain as a class C drug but home secretary Jacqui Smith announced in May last year that she was not willing to “wait and see” while risking the “future health of young people”.

The decision, influenced by the Prime Minister’s determined stance, reflects the fact that skunk, a much stronger version of the drug, now dominates the UK’s cannabis market. Skunk has swept other less potent forms of cannabis off the market and now accounts for 81% of the drug available on our streets, compared to just 30% in 2002.

There will also be a new targeted approach to tackling cannabis farms and the organised criminals who run them, plus the introduction of additional aggravating sentencing factors for those caught supplying cannabis near educational establishments, mental health institutions and prisons. Changes to legislation and powers used to curtail the sale and promotion of cannabis paraphernalia are also under consideration.

The reclassification, which runs counter to many expert opinions, is what Jacqui Smith calls “part of a relentless drive to tackle drugs and the harm they bring to families and communities”.

The Prime Minister had previously expressed concern at the stronger forms of the drug becoming available.

He said: “Given the changing nature of the stock of cannabis that is coming into the country and greater damage that appears to be doing to people who use it, there is a stronger case for sending out a signal that cannabis is not only illegal but it is unacceptable.”