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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Home Secretary to reassess cannabis classification
10 Downing Street Press Release
Monday 21 Mar 2005 Charles Clarke has ordered a review of the Government's decision to downgrade cannabis after new research linked the drug to mental illness. He has written to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and asked them to reassess their position. Last year cannabis was downgraded from Class B to Class C status after a recommendation by the Council. In his letter Mr Clarke pointed out that 'there is no indication from either the British Crime Survey or the more recent Schools Survey...that use of cannabis has increased.' However, he said, there have been several studies since which have looked at the links between taking cannabis and developing mental problems. One paper concluded that: 'Cannabis use moderately increases the risk of psychotic symptoms in young people but has a much stronger effect in those with evidence of predisposition for psychosis.' Mr Clarke said: "I think there is merit in the Advisory Council assessing whether their position is at all changed by the emerging evidence." He has also asked them to look into claims that there is an increased use in the UK of a high-strength cannabis known as 'skunk' which is causing concern to the Dutch Government.
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