|
Cannabis
·
On May 7,
2008 in UK,
Jacqui Smith
home
secretary
shared that
“Cannabis is
to be
reclassified
as a class B
drug,
because of
the
"increased
strength" of
some types
(reversing
2004
downgrading
of the drug
to class C
by Tony
Blair)
·
She
highlighted
"uncertainty
at the
least" on
the future
impact on
young
people's
mental
health from
cannabis.
·
Her
statement to
MPs came
despite the
Advisory
Council on
the Misuse
of Drugs'
review -
commissioned
by Gordon
Brown -
saying it
should stay
class C.
·
'Psychotic
illness'
·
The maximum
penalty for
possession
of a class B
drug is five
years in
prison,
whereas it
is two years
for a class
C drug.
·
Since
cannabis was
downgraded
there has
been
widespread
concern
about the
increased
prevalence
of stronger
"skunk"
varieties.
PENALTIES
FOR DRUG
DEALING AND
POSSESSION
|
Drug
class
|
Type of
drug
|
Possession
|
Dealing
|
|
Class A
|
Ecstasy,
LSD,
heroin,
cocaine,
crack,
magic
mushrooms,
amphetamines
(if
prepared
for
injection).
|
Up to
seven
years in
prison
or an
unlimited
fine or
both.
|
Up to
life in
prison
or an
unlimited
fine or
both.
|
|
Class B
|
Amphetamines,
Methylphenidate
(Ritalin),
Pholcodine.
|
Up to
five
years in
prison
or an
unlimited
fine or
both.
|
Up to 14
years in
prison
or an
unlimited
fine or
both.
|
|
Class C
|
Cannabis,
tranquilisers,
some
painkillers,
Gamma
hydroxybutyrate
(GHB),
Ketamine.
|
Up to
two
years in
prison
or an
unlimited
fine or
both.
|
Up to 14
years in
prison
or an
unlimited
fine or
both
|
|
|
