Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2005 Guardian Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175 Author: Nick Davies Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n806/a08.html?63763 CONFUSION ON DRUGS You could hardly wish for a clearer example of the complete muddle that underlies government drugs policy than the home secretary's latest contribution (Skunk cannabis may be reclassified, May 19). Charles Clarke wants the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs to consider harsher penalties for the new and more powerful strains of marijuana because of their alleged implication in mental illness. As long as the government insists on keeping these drugs illegal, their production and distribution is handed over to the black market where the consumer has no way of knowing the strength of the drugs that are on sale. All black-market buyers are blind, because there is no testing, no monitoring, no labelling. Would the home secretary approve of pubs selling alcohol in masked bottles, so that drinkers could not tell whether they were buying alcohol-free beer or real ale? Why not strip the labels off medicine packets, while he is about it. If there really is evidence that the new strains of marijuana carry new dangers, it is more important than ever that the entire market is made legal, so that the 3.2 million people in this country who use it have some chance of knowing what they are smoking. Clarke's idea can only increase any risk to health. Nick Davies, London - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom