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Government Advisor Cool On Superstrong Cannabis Claims

Author: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
Monday, February 2, 2004
Sir Michael Rowlins, the UK government adviser behind this week's reclassification of cannabis to Class C, dismissed widely reported claims that today's cannabis is stronger than 30 years ago.

"The police, whom one relies on for this sort of data, say that actually it is so variable you just can't tell," Sir Michael told the Guardian.

His comments reflected those of Home Office Minister Caroline Flint, who rejected claims by Conservative politician Graham Brady, in October, that today's cannabis is between 10 and 15 times stronger.

"I am afraid to tell the honourable Gentleman that the scientific evidence does not fit his analysis," Ms Flint told the House of Commons.

"The evidence of our forensic science unit is that the cannabis that it has sampled is not stronger than it was some years ago. Many of the statements made about the strength of cannabis do not fit the facts."

Cannabis was reclassified from Class B to Class C on Thursday, in the first significant softening of UK drug laws for decades. However, according to the Observer, 'it remains illegal to pass drugs among friends or allow people to smoke cannabis in your home; and if you are caught smoking in a club, the police will have the power to prosecute the landlord or the club owner."

Britain's House of Commons cannabis reclassification debate in full
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