PM to ignore advice on cannabis reform

Published on Monday 28 April 2008 22:24

GORDON Brown will press ahead with toughening up cannabis laws, despite claims there is no scientific basis for a change, it emerged yesterday.

The government is to reject recommendations from a high-powered group of advisers, who believe it should stay a "soft" drug.

It is thought the Prime Minister sees the move as vital in sending a message to young people that cannabis is harmful and linked to serious crime.

A final report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was delivered to the Home Office yesterday, but the government's response will not be announced until next week at the earliest.

The experts – including doctors, police, judges and drug counsellors – are understood to have concluded cannabis should remain a Class C drug. However, Whitehall sources indicated Mr Brown was ready to push through reclassification to Class B. Going against the ACMD's decision could spark a massive row and trigger resignations from the committee, which plays a crucial role in setting Britain's drug policy.

Chris Huhne, the Lib Dems' home affairs spokesman, demanded the publication of the panel's recommendations as "there should be nothing secret abut the advice given to ministers on this issue".