cannabisnews.com: Blunkett: Don't Tighten Law on Cannabis Blunkett: Don't Tighten Law on Cannabis Posted by CN Staff on January 14, 2006 at 19:11:59 PT By Sophie Goodchild and Francis Elliott Source: Independent UK United Kingdom -- David Blunkett has urged Tony Blair not to reverse the decision that he took as Home Secretary to reclassify cannabis. Senior government insiders say that Mr Blunkett, now a backbench MP, is furious at plans to reinstate the drug's original class B status less than two years after he moved it into the low-risk C category. The Government is expected to make an announcement this week on the classification of the drug in the light of new research linking its use to mental illness. Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has already said that he will launch a public awareness campaign about the dangers of the drug because of widespread confusion.It is understood that Mr Blunkett telephoned Mr Clarke last week to warn that tightening up the laws on cannabis would be a mistake. He also made his views known to the Prime Minister.One senior figure said that there was a heated conversation between Mr Clarke and Mr Blunkett.Cannabis was moved from class B to class C in February 2004 on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and lobbying from police, who said they needed to focus on class A drugs. Complete Title: Blunkett Tells Blair: Don't Tighten Law on Cannabis Source: Independent (UK)Author: Sophie Goodchild and Francis Elliott Published: January 15, 2006 Copyright: 2006 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.Contact: letters independent.co.ukWebsite: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Related Articles:Expert Advisers Threaten Revolt Against Clarke http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21483.shtmlConfused About Cannabis? You Bethttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21459.shtmlClarke Paves Way for U-Turn on Cannabis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21454.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by potpal on January 16, 2006 at 14:04:53 PT oh oh Prohibition of food may follow... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4610070.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ferre on January 15, 2006 at 22:26:42 PT Blunkett Rocks! Blunkett has allways been pro legalization, pitty that he has been set aside by means of smear campaigns and character assasination. Cannabis [ Post Comment ] Post Comment