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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis should become Class C drug, says Blunkett
Ananova
Monday 22 Oct 2001 Home Secretary David Blunkett says possession of cannabis should no longer be an arrestable offence. He wants to reclassifying the drug as Class C. This will put it in the same category as anti-depressants and steroids. Mr Blunkett denies the move is decriminalisation by another name and stresses the drug will remain illegal. But in practice, cannabis smokers will be unlikely to face any consequences if they are caught with small amounts of the drug. If cannabis is re-graded as Class C, the maximum sentence for possession would be two years in Crown Courts or three months in magistrates courts. Only offences punishable with at least five years imprisonment are arrestable. Possession with intent to supply or supplying Class C drugs carry a five year maximum. The move is designed to free police time to concentrate on hard drugs like heroin and cocaine, removing the "policing anomaly" which means nearly seven out of 10 drug arrests are for a relatively harmless drug. Mr Blunkett said: "In spite of our focus on hard drugs, the majority of police time is currently spent on handling cannabis offences. It is time for an honest and common sense approach focusing effectively on drugs that cause most harm."
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