Clarke 'no' to cannabis law change

Scotsman
UK
01/19/06

Home Secretary Charles Clarke came under fire from the Tories and frontline police officers after ruling out tougher penalties for cannabis.

He said he would not reclassify the drug - which was downgraded two years ago - despite fresh fears about its side-effects.

Mr Clarke said he was accepting the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to keep cannabis as a Class C drug.

Shadow home secretary David Davis criticised Mr Clarke's "tragic" decision and accused him of failing to "grasp the nettle".