Cannabis left as Class C drug

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has ruled out another reclassification of cannabis.

Mr Clarke, whose predecessor David Blunkett downgraded the drug from Class B to Class C, said that cannabis would remain a Class C drug.

However, Mr Clarke said that the drug was "anything but harmless", but said that the reclassification of cannabis two years ago had not led to an increase in its use.

The Home Secretary said that the government would launch a major public information campaign to remind the public that cannabis was still illegal, as well as the risks of taking the drug.

He also announced a review of the current drug classification system.

The announcement comes as new research linked smoking cannabis with psychosis and schizophrenia. However, the report, by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, suggested that the risks were small and did not recommend reclassification of cannabis.

The downgrading of cannabis in 2004 meant that possession of the drug was now a non-arrestable offence in most cases.

However, cannabis remained illegal and although the maximum sentence for possession was reduced from five years to two years, the maximum penalty for dealing in cannabis remained a 14-year-sentence.

Conservative Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said he was disappointed by Mr Clarke's decision, while Marjorie Wallace from mental health charity Sane accused the government of sending out "confused messages" about the drug.

(KMcA)