Hull Labour MP backs tougher cannabis law

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has backed Government moves to reclassify cannabis as a Class B drug, and today issued a stark warning about the danger of drugs.

The upgrading of cannabis from Class C to Class B means that from early 2009 there will be:

Jail sentences for the possession of cannabis, as a Class B drug, of up to five years, compared to up to two years for Class C drugs;

Tougher penalties for repeat offenders so that adults would receive one single cannabis warning, which would be recorded, before punishment is escalated;

A national crackdown on cannabis farms, including stronger enforcement measures to tackle organised criminal gangs;

Action against those who sell cannabis paraphernalia, including cannabis seeds;

A new public information campaign highlighting the dangers cannabis causes to health; and

New sentencing guidelines to ensure that cannabis supply near schools, colleges and universities, mental health institutions and prisons will be considered an aggravating factor.

The decision to reclassify cannabis comes after police advice backing the change. Humberside Chief Constable Tim Hollis, in his capacity as Chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officer's (ACPO) Drugs Committee, this week issued a statement welcoming the Government's decision.

19 to 23 May also marks this year's National Tackling Drugs Week; an initiative supported by the Government, police, councils and other agencies to raise awareness of services that exist locally for people wanting to access treatment for drug addiction.

Local drug treatment services in Hull include The Council for Dependency Problems (CDP) and The Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS), both based in Spring Bank.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Although there has been some reported fall in the use of cannabis, I am concerned about the mental health effects of the stronger 'skunk' cannabis that now dominates the illegal drugs trade and way that so-called 'soft' drugs are a slippery slope to hard drugs - and wrecked lives.

"The drugs menace has blighted the lives of so many people in Hull and is behind much other crime, as people seek to feed their addiction. I am pleased that the Government is acting on police advice to send out a clear message about the dangers of drugs, backed by action on enforcement and drugs treatment.

"I was not an MP in 2004 when the decision was taken, on the advice at the time from both the police and the independent Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs, to downgrade cannabis to Class C.

"Although the Government is accepting the vast majority of the latest advice from the Advisory Council on different aspects of drugs policy, expert opinion is divided on the question of cannabis classification.

"The clear police advice, as expressed by Humberside's Chief Constable Tim Hollis, has changed in light of the latest medical evidence about drug-induced psychotic illnesses, the dominance of 'skunk' cannabis up to three times stronger than what was available a decade ago and the police experience of combating drug dealers and organised crime.

"There is no evidence that a more liberal drugs policy lessens the role of drug dealers who prey on youngsters. Although the fight against drugs is a long haul with no easy answers, I have never accepted that the answer to the problem is surrender.

"This is why I strongly oppose those who advocate legalising the sale of cannabis and ending all jail sentences for drugs possession."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith MP said: "Cannabis is and always has been illegal. It now dominates the illegal drugs market in the UK and is stronger than ever before.

"There is growing evidence that shows the use of stronger cannabis may increase the harm to mental health. I make no apology for erring on the side of caution and upgrading the classification of cannabis. There is a compelling case to act now rather than risk the health of future generations.

"Those who are repeatedly caught with cannabis must face tough punishment and that is why I have asked the Association of Chief Police Officers to propose more robust enforcement measures to reflect re-classification."

Ends