Comment
Confusing messages
IT is hard to know where to stand in the
debate over the classification of cannabis.
With all the expertise at its disposal, the
Government can't make up its mind, so
how can the rest of us be expected to know
which way to jump?
Tony Blair downgraded cannabis to a
class C drug, but that decision has now
been reversed in a mere four years by Gordon
Brown. And that is despite the fact
that the experts on the Advisory Council
on the Misuse of Drugs believe that it
should remain class C.
Given the difficulties facing Mr Brown's
administration, it is natural to wonder
whether this is no more than an attempt
to appear tough on drugs because that is
what the public wants to see.
And that cynicism goes deeper in view
of the fact that cannabis smokers are likely
to go on escaping prosecution until the
third time they are caught.
The theory is that people can go to jail
for five years for possessing cannabis, but
the reality is much different because the
Government's "tougher" approach to
drugs is not backed up by meaningful
changes to the system of punishments.
We support any moves aimed at steering
young people away from drugs. It is far
better to be safe than sorry.
But the message has to be strong - not
lost in a fog of confusion.
9:59am Thursday 8th May 2008
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