|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Group welcomes drug re-grading
Ellesmere Port Pioneer
Thursday 12 Jan 2006 AN ANTI-drugs campaigner has welcomed the Government's move to re-classify cannabis. Lynn Clare, of the Parents Against Drug Abuse (PADA) group in Ellesmere Port, is worried about its increasing strength and links to mental health. PADA, based in Church Parade, was against Labour's controversial decision to downgrade cannabis from Class B seriousness to the milder Class C two years ago. Now she welcomes Home Secretary Charles Clarke's announcement that he is also 'concerned' about the drug, and looking to re-classify it to Class B again. Mrs Clare said: 'We were anti the initial decision to downgrade cannabis because we're aware of the research into it and mental health, so were very disappointed with the Government's decision then. 'Afterwards, we had huge numbers of people ringing the PADA helpline saying their child had told them it was now lawful, which it wasn't. The Government was giving out a mixed message that I don't think all the people got. 'This is not the kind of stuff they took in the 1960s. Cannabis now is much stronger, like skunk or hydroponics, which are both popular. 'More younger people are using it, and not just using it socially either. Some people light up a spliff just like they would a cigarette. 'Around half the 12-15,000 callers that PADA gets nationally every year are about cannabis. So I welcome Mr Clarke's decision to look at regrading it again.' Two years ago the drug was downgraded under Mr Clarke's predecessor, David Blunkett. The maximum penalty for dealing in a class B drug is 14 years in jail, while class C dealing carries a maximum of five years. It was hoped that downgrading cannabis would allow the police to focus on tackling harder drugs like heroin and crack cocaine. 'Since that decision, further medical evidence has been developed about the implications of consumption of cannabis on mental health, which is serious,' said Mr Clarke. He has asked an advisory group to consider the issue again in the light of the latest research.
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!