Pubdate: Fri, 14 Nov 2003
Source: Evening Standard (London, UK)
Copyright: 2003 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/914
Feedback: http://ichat.thisislondon.co.uk/messageboards/forum.jsp?forum=18

CANNABIS PASSES LAST LEGAL HURDLE

Cannabis will be downgraded to a Class C "non-arrestable" drug on 29
January.

The reform to the Criminal Justice Bill was rubber-stamped by the House of
Lords last night.

The move from Class B was approved by 63 votes to 37, and puts cannabis in
the same category as anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines and the "date rape"
drug GHB.

It means that in most cases police will no longer have the power to arrest
users for possession.

However, in a show of cross-party concern, peers also backed an amendment
warning that the change may "risk the health of young people".
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MAP posted-by: Josh