Social - UK News: Police reconsider cannabis stance

[Pondlife]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7103413.stm

Police reconsider cannabis stance
Tuesday, 20 November 2007, 11:38 GMT

Senior police officers are calling for cannabis to be reclassified from a class C to a class B drug.

Three years ago the Association of Chief Police Officers supported the downgrading of the drug, but now wants a return to the previous position.

Tim Hollis, chairman of Acpo's drugs committee, said downgrading cannabis had sent out the wrong signals.

Acpo is also concerned about the number of cannabis "factories" that have sprung up across the country.

Mr Hollis said organised criminals now viewed the UK as a potential place to produce cannabis.

There is also growing evidence of the links between mental illness and cannabis abuse - especially amongst young people.

Police are stressing that any reclassification would not necessarily change the way that they currently police possession of cannabis, although that may be reviewed in the light of any reclassification.

ACPO will give evidence relating to its new position to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

A decision by the Home Office on whether cannabis will be upgraded to a class B drug is expected next year.