Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jan 2006
Source: Independent on Sunday (UK)
Copyright: Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/208
Author: Sophie Goodchild and Francis Elliott
Cited: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs 
http://www.drugs.gov.uk/drugs-laws/acmd/
Cited: Home Office http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/David+Blunkett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Charles+Clarke

BLUNKETT TELLS BLAIR: DON'T TIGHTEN LAW ON CANNABIS

David Blunkett has urged Tony Blair not to reverse the decision that
he took as Home Secretary to reclassify cannabis.

Senior government insiders say that Mr Blunkett, now a backbench MP,
is furious at plans to reinstate the drug's original class B status
less than two years after he moved it into the low-risk C category.

The Government is expected to make an announcement this week on the
classification of the drug in the light of new research linking its
use to mental illness. Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has already
said that he will launch a public awareness campaign about the dangers
of the drug because of widespread confusion.

It is understood that Mr Blunkett telephoned Mr Clarke last week to
warn that tightening up the laws on cannabis would be a mistake. He
also made his views known to the Prime Minister.

One senior figure said that there was a heated conversation between Mr
Clarke and Mr Blunkett.

Cannabis was moved from class B to class C in February 2004 on the
recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and
lobbying from police, who said they needed to focus on class A drugs.

David Blunkett has urged Tony Blair not to reverse the decision that
he took as Home Secretary to reclassify cannabis.

Senior government insiders say that Mr Blunkett, now a backbench MP,
is furious at plans to reinstate the drug's original class B status
less than two years after he moved it into the low-risk C category.

The Government is expected to make an announcement this week on the
classification of the drug in the light of new research linking its
use to mental illness. Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has already
said that he will launch a public awareness campaign about the dangers
of the drug because of widespread confusion. It is understood that Mr
Blunkett telephoned Mr Clarke last week to warn that tightening up the
laws on cannabis would be a mistake. He also made his views known to
the Prime Minister.

One senior figure said that there was a heated conversation between Mr
Clarke and Mr Blunkett.

Cannabis was moved from class B to class C in February 2004 on the
recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and
lobbying from police, who said they needed to focus on class A drugs.
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