CANNABIS RECLASSIFICATION

Early day motion 92, tabled 26 November 2003 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 16 members.

That this House believes that the welcome decision to reclassify cannabis is an opportunity to restate the message that all drugs are dangerous; notes that previous governments' failure to identify the relative dangers of each illegal drug reduced the credibility of health warnings; asserts that the most valuable and credible health message would re-emphasise the dangers of cannabis but also highlight the risk of cancers, heart and bronchial diseases which can be avoided if cannabis is ingested in ways other than smoking; and hopes that reclassification will be a first step in reversing the policies of harsh prohibition of the past 32 years that have perversely increased drugs use and drug-related crime.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 3, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.