Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jan 2008
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Authors: Heather Ashton, Eric Voth, Ian Oliver, Anthony Seldon, David Raynes

CLASSIFYING CANNABIS

There Are Numerous Very Compelling Reasons For Restoring Cannabis To
Class B

Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for  restoring
cannabis to Class B. In 2002 the Advisory  Council on the Misuse of
Drugs (ACMD) - which will soon  complete its latest report on the
subject, with oral  evidence being heard on February 5 - said: "Since
cannabis use has only been commonplace in the past 30  years there may
be worse news to come."

That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research  documents
highlighted in another report, written by  Mary Brett and submitted to
the Social Justice Policy  Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and
updated this  month. The worst of it is undoubtedly the
neuro-psychological damage suffered by the increasingly  younger users
among the 500 people per week seeking  treatment for cannabis use.
When cannabis was  downgraded in 2004 we were promised a public health
  campaign on cannabis and mental illness.

Further impairment of the central nervous system is  evidenced in the
changed personality and declining  academic performance, dependence,
aggression, adversely  affected driving and progression to other
drugs, all  covered in this comprehensive scientific document, sent
to the ACMD and endorsed by the undersigned. Also  reported are the
harms caused to the immune,  reproductive, cardiovascular and
respiratory systems.

The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals,  not only to the
young people of Britain but all over  the world, where other countries
are watching our every  move.

Professor Heather Ashton

Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology,  University of
Newcastle

Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP

Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor  in Chief, The
Journal of Global Drug Policy and  Practice

Dr Ian Oliver

Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian  Police and
International Consultant on Drugs to the UN

Dr Anthony Seldon

Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett

Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs

David Raynes

International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs  Enforcement
Consultant and member of the International  task Force on Strategic
Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath