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March 19, 2005: Changing Cannabis Classification?
Home Secretary
Charles
Clarke has written to the
Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The AMCD has been asked by
the Home Secretary to reassess its position on the classification of cannabis
and provide advice on the claims of greater prevalence of increased strength
cannabis. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is a statutory and
non-executive nondepartmental public body, which is established under the Misuse
of Drugs Act 1971.Cannabis and cannabis resin together with cannabinol and its
derivatives were reclassified as Class C drugs in January 2004.
Charles Clarke’s letter, addressed to AMCD Chair Professor Sir Michael Rawlins of the
University of Newcastle’s Wolfson Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, reads as
follows:
"In 2001, my predecessor David Blunkett commissioned the Advisory Council to
provide a report on the classification of cannabis. The subsequent publication
of March 2002 ‘The classification of cannabis under the
Misuse of Drugs Act
1971’ recommended that cannabis should be reclassified to a Class C drug from
Class B. The Government was content to accept that recommendation and in January
2004 the necessary legal changes were made with the full backing of the
Association of Chief Police Officers."
"Since then there is no indication from either the
British Crime Survey or the
more recent Schools Survey by the Department of Health that use of cannabis has
increased.
However, there have been several studies produced since the decision to
reclassify cannabis was taken. I am thinking in particular of the longitudinal
studies into links and associations between taking cannabis and developing
mental problems. The Ferguson study (New Zealand 2004) considered how regular
cannabis use increased the risk of developing psychotic symptoms later in life.
Professor van Os more recent paper (Maastrict University 2004) concluded
"Cannabis use moderately increases the risk of psychotic symptoms in young
people but has a much stronger effect in those with evidence of predisposition
for psychosis.""
"I realise that ACMD keeps a close interest in these studies and continue to
monitor all the relevant evidence on the effects of cannabis. I want to be clear
what influence the evidence presented within these studies has on the overall
assessment of the classification of cannabis. I think there is merit in the
Advisory Council assessing whether their position is at all changed by the
emerging evidence."
"I would also welcome advice on claims of increased prevalence of cannabis with
high levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Typically these are grown
hydroponically and are known as ‘skunk’ varieties of cannabis. I am aware the
Dutch Government are taking a particular interest in very high strength strains
and are considering whether cannabis above a certain strength should be a higher
classification."
"I am grateful for the advice that the ACMD provide on these and other drug
issues and look forward to your response."
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