Pubdate: Wed, 26 Feb 2003
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: Richard Ford
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CANNABIS CHANGES WRONG, SAYS UN

DAVID BLUNKETT'S decision to relax the law on cannabis is criticised by a UN
anti-drugs panel today for sending the wrong signal to the rest of the
world.

The UN says that the Home Secretary's move would damage Britain's health and
could increase cannabis supplies on the streets.

Introducing the panel's annual report, Hamid Ghodse also claimed that
downgrading the drug from Class B to Class C would undermine efforts to curb
cannabis production in Africa and set a bad example to young people in
developing countries.

Asked if Mr Blunkett's decision was a bad message to the world, Professor
Ghodse, Professor of Addictive Behaviour at St George's Hospital, London,
said: "Indeed, indeed . . . developing countries are very conscious that
their people, particularly their youth, follow the sort of statements which
pervade this country.

"Therefore normalisation of drug use might appear as something to be
desired."
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MAP posted-by: Josh