The government has decided to tighten the law on cannabis, reinstating it to a Class B drug, because of fears over the high-strength skunk variety now prevalent on the streets.

Cannabis was downgraded to Class C — which includes substances such as anabolic steroids — in 2004. That meant possession of the drug was treated largely as a non-arrestable offence. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended it should stay as Class C.

Since 2004 there has been much debate on the dangers of repeated use of cannabis, the likelihood of its fostering psychotic behaviour and its role as a possible “gateway” to more dangerous drugs. 

Do you believe Gordon Brown is right in putting cannabis back in Class B? 

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