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Police reconsider cannabis stance Police reconsider cannabis stance
(30 minutes later)
Senior police officers are calling for cannabis to be reclassified from a class C to a class B drug.Senior police officers are calling for cannabis to be reclassified from a class C to a class B drug.
The Association of Chief Police Officers had supported the downgrading of the drug from class B to Class C three years ago. Three years ago the Association of Chief Police Officers supported the downgrading of the drug, but now wants a return to the previous position.
However Tim Hollis, chairman of Acpo's drugs committee, said it was now supporting a return to the previous position. Tim Hollis, chairman of Acpo's drugs committee, said downgrading cannabis had sent out the wrong signals.
He said downgrading the drug had sent out the wrong signals to young people. Acpo is also concerned about the number of cannabis "factories" that have sprung up across the country.
Acpo is also concerned about the number of cannabis "factories" that have sprung up in rented houses across the country.
Mr Hollis said organised criminals now viewed the UK as a potential place to produce cannabis.Mr Hollis said organised criminals now viewed the UK as a potential place to produce cannabis.
There is also growing evidence of the links between mental illness and cannabis abuse - especially amongst young people.
Police are stressing that any reclassification would not necessarily change the way that they currently police possession of cannabis, although that may be reviewed in the light of any reclassification.Police are stressing that any reclassification would not necessarily change the way that they currently police possession of cannabis, although that may be reviewed in the light of any reclassification.
ACPO says it will give evidence to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. A decision on whether the drug will be upgraded is expected next spring. ACPO will give evidence relating to its new position to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
The annual ACPO drugs conference in Cardiff is due to hear the latest evidence about links between mental illness and cannabis abuse. A decision by the Home Office on whether cannabis will be upgraded to a class B drug is expected next year.