Scientists criticise cannabis plans

by Dave Keating | November 25, 2008 at 03:41 am

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Gordon Brown's plans to recriminalize marijuana as a class B drug, only a few years after the drug was downgraded to a class C drug, has come under heavy criticism from scientists. The scientists argued that the move was more likely to increase the drug's use, pointing to the fact that cannabis use has actually fallen since the drug was downgraded in 2004. They also said the decision damages the credibility of the government's classification system, putting marijuana on par with drugs such as amphetamines and barbituates.

Leading scientists and MPs have criticised government plans to tighten the rules on cannabis by reclassifying it as a class B drug, arguing the decision ignores the opinion of experts.

The House of Lords is due to debate the plans to raise cannabis from the less serious class C, a move ministers say is necessary because of public concern about skunk, a stronger strain which now dominates the market.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced in May that the government would push ahead with the plans despite advice from the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) which argued there was insufficient evidence to regrade cannabis to class B.