Pubdate: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 2001 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321 Author: Associated Press BRITISH OFFICIAL WANTS MARIJUANA LAWS RELAXED LONDON -- Britain's marijuana laws should be relaxed to give police more time to battle harder drugs, the nation's top law-enforcement official said Tuesday. Home Secretary David Blunkett said reclassifying marijuana, or cannabis, as a "Class C" drug - putting it in the same category as anabolic steroids - would not be the same as decriminalization or legalization. However, such a change means that those possessing marijuana would not be subject to arrest. "Cannabis would remain a controlled drug and using it a criminal offense ... but it would make clearer the distinction between cannabis and Class A drugs like heroin and cocaine," Blunkett told a House of Commons committee meeting. Blunkett's statement comes amid an intensifying political debate about marijuana. Senior figures from all three major political parties have urged a review of cannabis laws. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens called the proposal a reflection of changing police and public attitudes. A leading researcher in the potential use of marijuana for medical treatment praised the proposal. Dr. John Zajicek, who is doing clinical trials with cannabis to treat multiple sclerosis, said a loosening of the law could aid MS sufferers. - --- MAP posted-by: Rebel