Rethink: No sense to reclassify
Thursday, 03 Apr 2008 16:16
It makes no sense to reclassify cannabis from a class C to a class B drug, the mental health charity Rethink has said.
The issue is currently being discussed by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs after the government asked it to carry out a review of cannabis and the legislation governing it.
Reports have suggested that the council is set to argue for its current classification to be maintained.
"If the experts recommend that cannabis should stay at class C, then what further evidence does the government need?" asked Rethink director of pubic affairs Paul Corry.
"To go ahead and reclassify cannabis as class B in spite of strong views to the contrary would make a farce of the classification review process."
The prime minister has suggested that cannabis should be reclassified to send a strong message about the health effects of the drug but Rethink says it would make more sense to focus efforts on telling people about the associated risks.
"Gordon Brown should put aside his personal views on cannabis and accept the fact that it does not make sense to reclassify - use of the drug has gone down since it was downgraded in 2004 and research by Rethink shows that only three per cent of users would consider stopping on the grounds of illegality," Mr Corry added.
"It would be a mistake to reclassify cannabis. Instead, the government should commit to a widespread public education campaign warning people of the risks to their mental health.
"The first step they should take is to require rolling paper manufacturers to print health warnings on their packaging. The government should also fund some long-awaited primary research into cannabis use and mental illness."
