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Minister backing cannabis review Minister backing cannabis review
(about 3 hours later)
Scotland's drugs minister has said he is "sympathetic" to UK Government plans to upgrade cannabis to a class B drug.Scotland's drugs minister has said he is "sympathetic" to UK Government plans to upgrade cannabis to a class B drug.
The SNP's Fergus Ewing - who was once suspended from school for smoking cannabis - is backing any future review to reclassify the substance. Fergus Ewing - who was once suspended from school for smoking cannabis - has backed any future review to reclassify the substance.
Gordon Brown wants the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to reconsider the downgrading of cannabis from a class B to a class C drug.Gordon Brown wants the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to reconsider the downgrading of cannabis from a class B to a class C drug.
Any decision to reclassify cannabis rests with the Westminster government.Any decision to reclassify cannabis rests with the Westminster government.
The drug was downgraded to class C, which includes substances such as anabolic steroids, from class B, which includes drugs like amphetamines, in 2004.The drug was downgraded to class C, which includes substances such as anabolic steroids, from class B, which includes drugs like amphetamines, in 2004.
Mr Ewing was suspended from school for smoking cannabis Drugs policy
But there are fears more harmful forms of the drug have become available. However, there are fears more harmful forms of the drug have become available.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing, who oversees drugs policy in Scotland, said he was "instinctively sympathetic" to cannabis being treated more seriously. Community Safety Minister Mr Ewing, who oversees drugs policy in Scotland, said he was "instinctively sympathetic" to cannabis being treated more seriously.
As a teenager, Mr Ewing was suspended from Loretto School in Edinburgh for a fortnight after being caught taking the drug.As a teenager, Mr Ewing was suspended from Loretto School in Edinburgh for a fortnight after being caught taking the drug.
He has said that he has not tried it since. He said that he has not tried it since.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop have also admitted experimenting with the drug in their youth.Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop have also admitted experimenting with the drug in their youth.
At least six members of the UK cabinet, including Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, have made similar confessions. At least six members of the UK cabinet, including Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, have made similar disclosures.