News and views: Row looming over cannabis grading
ACMD - The Advisory Council makes recommendations to government on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs, including classification and scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its regulations. It considers any substance which is being or appears to be misused and of which is having or appears to be capable of having harmful effects sufficient to cause a social problem.
It also carries out in-depth inquiries into aspects of drug use that are causing particular concern in the UK, with the aim of producing considered reports that will be helpful to policy makers and practitioners.
Direct.gov - Cannabis use has fallen significantly across all age ranges and this is a testament to the success of the previous ten year Drug Strategy. However, the reduction in cannabis use must not be allowed to reverse.
Reclassification reflects the fact that skunk, a much stronger type of the drug, now dominates the cannabis market. It accounts for 81 per cent of cannabis available on our streets compared to just 30 per cent in 2002. The average age of first use is 13 years old and young people may binge on skunk in the same way as alcohol, trying to achieve the maximum effect. If they do, the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs found that the consequences of this "may be serious to their mental health".
BBC - The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) says cannabis should stay a class C drug, the category to which it was downgraded under Tony Blair. But Gordon Brown is thought to be keen to reclassify to "B" as he is worried about the "more lethal" use of skunk - a stronger form of the drug.
The Tories want cannabis to be Class B. Lib Dems want ministers to heed advice. Ms Smith will make a statement to MPs on the government's stance.
In its report, the ACMD says cannabis should remain in "Class C" - but it calls for a public health campaign to reduce cannabis use among young people. The document has been compiled by judges, doctors, police and drug counsellors also recommends stricter penalties for some suppliers.
Among its 20 recommendations, it calls for stricter penalties for dealing the drug in schools, mental health hospitals and prisons. However, the council says the drug causes less harm than those in Class B, such as amphetamines and barbiturates.
It argues that it should remain in Class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five.