November 2008

Parliament is currently considering the reclassification of cannabis from a Class C drug to a Class B drug.  For me, taking the Order through its committee stage in the House of Commons it proved something of a baptism of fire.

Cannabis use is falling but there is growing concern about the potency of “skunk”, the type of cannabis increasingly being used.  There is also a trend towards “binge smoking” and concern about the link between cannabis use and mental health problems later in life.  Add to that the growth of cannabis farms linked to serious organised crime and it has become clearer that cannabis causes harm to individuals and the rest of society.

The last time Parliament considered classification it decided to reclassify cannabis as Class C. Since then circumstances have changed and the government called for a review.  The Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises government, produced a report in April which the government largely accepted.  But controversially the council advised that cannabis should remain Class C – a view the government rejected.  Taking a wider view and focussing on the harm cannabis does, and including what the public were telling us, the government concluded that cannabis should be upgraded to Class B.

The effects will be to send out a stronger message about the harm that cannabis causes and increase penalties including for dealers. We want the downward trend in cannabis use to continue.

There is a variety of views about cannabis use and for some people classification has proved a difficult journey.  To me less so – I am clear in my mind of the harm drugs do – including cannabis -  and I am clear that the public expect us to take strong action to keep young people safe.