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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: BMA warning over cannabis downgrade
Ananova
Wednesday 21 Jan 2004 Doctors' leaders say they are extremely concerned that the imminent downgrading of cannabis will make the public believe it is a safe drug to use. The substance is due to be reclassified from a class B to a class C drug on January 29, ranking it alongside bodybuilding steroids and some anti-depressants. But the British Medical Association says it is worried how this move will affect potential drug-users who might be led to believe the drug was now safe to use. Dr Peter Maguire, deputy chairman of the BMA's board of science, said they welcomed the Government's campaign to highlight the dangers of cannabis. He said: "The public must be made aware of the harmful effects that we know result from smoking this drug. The BMA is extremely concerned that the public might think that reclassification equals 'safe'. It does not. "We are very worried about the negative health effects of smoking cannabis and want the Government to fund more research on this issue. Chronic cannabis smoking increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema." A UKP1 million Government campaign is to underline the message that cannabis will remain illegal despite the change in the law. The campaign will begin tomorrow. Millions of leaflets will be handed out while newspapers and radio stations will carry adverts which warn the drug is harmful to health. When it is downgraded, possession of cannabis will no longer be an arrestable offence in most cases. Police will retain the power to arrest users in certain aggravated situations - such as when the drug is smoked outside schools. Police will be more likely to confiscate the drugs, and officers will stop targeting those using cannabis in their own home. Some drugs campaigners have criticised the move, saying it will encourage more youngsters to try the drug. But Home Secretary David Blunkett has said the change in the law is necessary to enable police to spend more time tackling class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, which cause the most harm and trigger far more crime. About 80,000 adults a year are currently arrested and fined for possession of cannabis. Research claims the drug is far more harmful to health than smoking ordinary cigarettes, with more tar and harmful chemicals taken into the body. Around 120,000 people die every year in the UK from smoking cigarettes. Story filed: 07:13 Wednesday 21st January 2004 --=======31EE212C=======--
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