Cannabis reclassification in the United Kingdom refers to the transfer cannabis to a different Class of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Home Secretary David Blunkett announced in 2001 that cannabis would be transferred from Class B of the Act to Class C, removing the threat of arrest for possession. Arrest would still be possible for distributing the drug, however[1]. The transfer eventually happened in January 2004, after Class C penalties for distribution had been stiffened.

International criticism

In 2003, the INCB criticized Great Britain for considering rescheduling cannabis from a class B to a class C drug. The INCB's annual report warned[2]:

The reclassification of cannabis by the Government of the United Kingdom would undermine the efforts of the Governments of African countries to counter illicit cannabis cultivation, trafficking, and abuse.

Philip O. Emafo, INCB chairman, said[3]:

It is important that consensus prevails in international drug control. No government should take unilateral measures without considering the impact of its actions and ultimately the consequences for an entire system that took governments almost a century to establish.

See also

• Cannabis rescheduling

References

• Blunkett to Focus on the Menace of Hard Drugs, Home Office Press Release 255/2001, 23 Oct. 2001.
• International Narcotics Control Board.
• Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2002, E/INCB/2002/1.
• Road to Vienna: British Government Chides International Narcotics Control Board on Cannabis Rescheduling Critique, Mar. 28, 2003.
• Blunkett defends new cannabis law, Feb. 26, 2003, Female.