RT Hon MICHAEL HOWARD MP: Reclassification of Cannabis

Michael Howard has asked me to thank you very much for your recent email regarding the reclassification of cannabis.

You will be aware that the Government has made a decision to liberalise the drugs laws and effectively remove the fear of prosecution from adult cannabis users. Under new guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers with Government backing, which came into force on 29th January 2004, cannabis is downgraded from Class B to Class C.

People caught by the police with the drug will escape with a warning and confiscation. It is a policy which Home Secretary David Blunkett claims will make UK drugs laws more credible, and enable the police to focus on abuse of more dangerous narcotics.

Mr Howard believes that the Home Secretary's decision represents the worst of both worlds. The reality is that he is giving control over cannabis to the drug dealers, with the police turning away. He has failed to explain why it is right to tell one set of people that it is half permissible to take cannabis, but to tell another set of people they may be put in prison for 10 years if they sell it.

It is for these reasons that a Conservative government would reverse Labour's decision to downgrade cannabis to a Class C drug. I believe that it is very important indeed that this country maintains tough drug laws.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me. Please let me assure you that I fully intend to address the failures of this Government's
drugs policies.

With best wishes

Ian Philps
Office of the Leader of the Opposition

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