Cannabis Crackdown Leads to Re-Classification

by Amber Field    May 07, 2008

Previously a Class C Drug, Cannabis is due to be reclassed to Class B in early 2009. The government is taking steps to reclassify the drug as more 'skunk,' a more stronger type of the drug, now accounts for 81 per cent of the Cannabis avaliable on the streets compared to just 30 per cent previously in 2002. 

 The Government worries that children as young as 13 are now using Cannabis and "may binge on skunk in the same way as alcohol trying to achieve the maxium effect." 

The reclassification means that although being caught supplying the drug will still result in a 14 year jail sentence, being in possession will rise to 5 years imprisionment, in line with other drugs such as amphetamine and methylphenidate.Cannabis has been proved to not only cause short-term but also long term physical and mental illness.

A Home Office report shows physical affects of the drug can cause problems with circulation, the respiritory system, the reproduction system and reproduction. Mental affects of the drugs include pychological reactions panic attacks, paranoia and confused feelings. It also can affect the users psychomotor performance which impairs learning and memory, causes difficulty in problem-solving and affects co-ordination. At the drugs worse it can also lead to long-term psychotic illnesses including schizophrenia.   

The government is hoping that the reclassification decision, after referring the matter of Misuse of Drugs to the advisory council will bring down the use of Cannibis especially amongst youths who have been shown to be the biggest users of the drug.

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