Policy paper

The classification of Cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (2002)

In October 2001 the Home Secretary asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to review the classification of cannabis preparations in…

• From: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
• Published: 31 March 2003

Documents

The Classification of Cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (2002)

PDF, 164 KB, 22 pages

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In October 2001 the Home Secretary asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to review the classification of cannabis preparations in the light of current scientific evidence.

The Advisory Council recommended the reclassification of all Cannabis preparations from Class B to Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It concluded that the classification of Cannabis as a Class B drug was disproportionate both in relation to it inherent toxicity and to that of other Class B substances (such as amphetamine). However, in making its recommendation the Advisory Council wished it to be clearly understood that Cannabis was unquestionably harmful and it was anxious that the dangers associated with the use of Cannabis were widely known.

Published 31 March 2003