00:06:54
YouTube
[Channel 4 News] Cannabis reclassification failed 2008.02.04
[Channel 4 News] Cannabis reclassification failed 2008.02.04
By Simon Israel: "Two reviews of the decision to re-classify cannabis in 2004 have found that it hasn't freed up police time and that there's been a huge rise in the number of under-18s with cannabis-related mental illness. This comes as the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs prepares hold its one and only public meeting tomorrow. Channel 4 News understands that another body, the UK Drug Policy Commission, hasn't found enough new evidence for reclassification of the drug, despite hints from Gordon Brown that he wants this to happen. When the government downgraded cannabis to a Class C drug, it was expected that police time would be freed up to concentrate on serious crime. Channel 4 News has discovered that a private survey of all 43 police forces has concluded that this hasn't happened. The Treatment Agency has also found a 300 per cent rise in the number of young people being treated for cannabis-related mental health problems. By: Simon Israel Two reviews of the decision to re-classify cannabis in 2004 have found that it hasn't freed up police time and that there's been a huge rise in the number of under-18s with cannabis-related mental illness. This comes as the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs prepares hold its one and only public meeting tomorrow. Channel 4 News understands that another body, the UK Drug Policy Commission, hasn't found enough new evidence for reclassification of the drug, despite hints from Gordon Brown that he wants this to happen. When the government downgraded cannabis to a Class C drug, it was expected that police time would be freed up to concentrate on serious crime. Channel 4 News has discovered that a private survey of all 43 police forces has concluded that this hasn't happened. The Treatment Agency has also found a 300 per cent rise in the number of young people being treated for cannabis-related mental health problems."
YouTube | February 5, 2008
