RT
Hon MICHAEL HOWARD MP: Reclassification of Cannabis
Michael Howard has asked me to thank you very much for your recent email
regarding the reclassification of cannabis.
You will be aware that the Government has made a decision to liberalise the
drugs laws and effectively remove the fear of prosecution from adult cannabis
users. Under new guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers
with Government backing, which came into force on 29th January 2004,
cannabis is downgraded from Class B to Class C.
People caught by the police with the drug will escape with a warning and
confiscation. It is a policy which Home Secretary David Blunkett claims will
make UK drugs laws more credible, and enable the police to focus on abuse of
more dangerous narcotics.
Mr Howard believes that the Home Secretary's decision represents the worst of
both worlds. The reality is that he is giving control over cannabis to the drug
dealers, with the police turning away. He has failed to explain why it is right
to tell one set of people that it is half permissible to take cannabis, but to
tell another set of people they may be put in prison for 10 years if they sell
it.
It is for these reasons that a Conservative government would reverse Labour's
decision to downgrade cannabis to a Class C drug. I believe that it is very
important indeed that this country maintains tough drug laws.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me. Please let me assure
you that I fully intend to address the failures of this Government's
drugs policies.
With best wishes
Ian Philps
Office of the Leader of the Opposition