Cannabis reclassification

The Home Secretary has decided not to reverse the decision two years ago to downgrade cannabis to a class C drug.

In March 2005 the Home Secretary asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to examine new evidence on the harmfulness of cannabis, and to consider whether this changed their assessment of cannabis as a class C drug. They produced a report on cannabis classification (new window) which outlined their findings.

In a statement to parliament (new window) the Home Secretary said of the recommendations in the Advisory Council’s report: 'I have decided to accept the recommendation, which is supported by the police and by most drugs and mental health charities, to keep the current classification of cannabis.'
Changes to the law in 2004

In January 2004 Cannabis was reclassified from a Class B to a Class C drug.

Cannabis is still a controlled drug. Possession, production and supply of cannabis is still illegal. Only the penalties for these offences changed.

Adults in possession of cannabis

It is unlikely that adults caught in possession of cannabis will be arrested. Most offences of possession result in a warning and confiscation of the drug. But some instances may lead to arrest and possible caution or prosecution, including:

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repeat offending
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smoking in a public place
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instances where public order is threatened
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possession of cannabis in the vicinity of premises used by children


http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/...classification/