Cannabis Will Remain A Class C Drug

Original posting, January 2006

Cannabis was downgraded to class C two years ago. The current home secretary (Charles Clarke) has decided against reversing the decision, accepting the drug could trigger serious mental illness, but pledged a publicity campaign to warn of the dangers.

• Incredible, highly dangerous and illogical rhetoric, but to avoid 'embarrassment' and save face, political decisions are rarely reversed even if it would be the right (and 'honourable') action to take.

He also announced a wholesale review of the way drugs are classified. The Conservatives described Mr Clarke's decision not to reclassify cannabis as a "tragedy" but it was "strongly welcomed" by the Liberal Democrats. I’ve just understood the meaning of Liberal. I did misguidedly begin to think they were becoming a credible force. It’s a good job that the shot in the foot was a good one. Mr Clarke told MPs the decision was supported by police and most drug and mental health charities. I can understand the police saying that: no crime, less work for them, but for the others...

• Everyone needs to understand that cannabis is harmful and it's illegal. Our education health campaigns will clearly transmit that message. WHEN? Mr Clarke's proposals to review the classification of drugs - which will be detailed in a consultation paper - could lead to a complete overhaul of the system. He said the existing system - of Class A, B and C substances - could confuse people and had led some to misinterpret the downgrading of cannabis.

Yes, I’m confused.

But that's the whole idea!

Mr Clarke said he will launch a major public information campaign to stress that cannabis was "anything but harmless". So, why hasn't it been reclassified, if it's so dangerous? He also said that draft guidelines published in November which would have allowed people to carry up to half a kilogram of leaf cannabis for "personal use" will be watered down.

WATERED DOWN? Surely, he means STRENGTHENED?

   Half a kilogram for "personal use"? There's that contempt for us all again. Only drug pushers carry this amount. And for "personal use" is to sell it to make "personal gain".

DRUG PENALTIES (Theoretical Only):

• Class A: Seven years for possession, life for supplying
• Class B: Five years for possession, 14 years for supplying
• Class C: Two years for possession, 14 years for supplying

   Bizarrely, there is a clear and definite distinction between a class B and class C drug as demonstrated by the theoretical possession incarceration, but an equal term for supplying which suggests that since classes B and C are both drugs they should be given equal standing. But a class A drug is also a drug, though it theoretically carries a theoretical life sentence. This anomaly cannot be reconciled. Nicotine is a class A drug

• "Everyone needs to understand that cannabis (class C) is harmful and it is illegal," he told MPs. "Our education and health campaigns will clearly transmit that message."

But government won't.

With anomalies in sentencing like this,
everything is relegated to the land of farce

   Mr Clarke will also order police forces to clamp down on cannabis producers and dealers, a move welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The inquiry will also look into the classification of "date-rape" drugs including GHB and Rohypnol.

   Liberal Democrat home affairs correspondent Mark Oaten said his party "strongly welcomed" the decision not to reclassify cannabis. Mr Oaten said he was pleased Mr Clarke had taken the decision "on evidence rather than political pressure".

   What can I say? Well, I could, but... But shadow home secretary David Davis said Mr Clarke should have "grasped the nettle", saying cannabis was a "gateway to... hard drugs."

   “The fact that he has not followed through and taken the new evidence into account is both a missed opportunity for him, but more importantly a tragedy for many thousands of young lives," he said.

   That’ll do. Thank you, Mr Davis. Concerns about a link between super-strength cannabis varieties and mental illness have mounted since Mr Clarke's predecessor David Blunkett downgraded the drug in January 2004, making cannabis possession a non-arrestable offence in most cases. According to the Home Office, most offences of cannabis possession by adults resulted in a police warning given on the spot, and confiscation of the drug.

   Except where children are vulnerable, for repeat offenders or public order is at risk, no arrest will happen. Young people under 18 are given a formal reprimand or warning at a police station. Where conviction occurs, Class C drug possession carries a 2-year sentence, with 14 years for supplying the drug. In the case of Class B drugs, possession carries a 5-year sentence, with 14 years for supply.