Pubdate: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 Source: Mirror, The (UK) Copyright: 2001 The Mirror Contact: http://www.mirror.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1161 Author: Bob Roberts, Political Correspondent CANNABLISS Dope Law Shake-Up Mean Users Can Smoke In Peace A MASSIVE change in the cannabis laws was unveiled by the Government last night. Dope is to be reclassified as a Class C drug - the lowest category of illegal substances. It will mean people caught in possession of small amounts cannot be arrested. The change was being seen as the most significant relaxation of drug laws in 30 years. Ministers are also to recommend cannabis products are licensed as medicines. And doctors will get new guidance to allow heroin to be given out on prescription to undermine the illegal market in hard drugs. Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed the move on cannabis would allow police to concentrate on tackling hard drugs and dealers. He said: "Re-classification would be different from decriminalisation or legalisation. Cannabis would remain a controlled drug and using it a criminal offence. "This would not detract from the simple message that all drugs are harmful and that no one should take drugs. "But it would make clearer the distinction between cannabis and Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Police can't arrest people for possessing cannabis since the maximum penalty will be two years in jail. Only drugs offences punishable with at least five years behind bars are arrestable. Campaigners hailed the move which followed a pilot scheme in Brixton, south London. Labour MP Paul Flynn, who led Parliamentary calls for change, said: "It is a splendid first step that will prevent 100,000 arrests a year. "It will release hundreds of thousands of extra man hours for the police and save a fortune on police, court and prison budgets." But the British Lung Foundation warned it could mean more people smoking the drug. A spokeswoman said: "Any reclassification of cannabis should be accompanied by similar health education campaigns as those the Government run on tobacco." Before the change is passed, the proposal will be formally approved by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. CLASSES OF DRUGS CLASS A: Heroin, cocaine, ecstasy CLASS B: Cannabis, amphetamine stimulants, barbiturate sedatives CLASS C: Anabolic steroids, benzodiazepine sleeping pills and harmful prescription drugs - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart