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Cannabis in the United Kingdom

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RobRedpath (talk | contribs) at 08:53, 30 June 2009 (→Usage: - updated to include wider geographical perspective). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Cannabis in the United Kingdom

Main article: Cannabis

Cannabis is an illegal drug in the United Kingdom.

Usage

Cannabis is widely used throughout the United Kingdom, by people of all ages and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Its use is particularly pronounced among teenagers, those in socially deprived areas and those adhering to alt. culture (eg. goth, punk, indie, rock). Some liberal or bohemian areas of major cities are associated with cannabis use, including:

In London, these include Brixton, Stockwell, Camden Town, Queen's Crescent, Ladbroke Grove, Peckham and Camberwell.

In Manchester, the Northern Quarter and Fallowfield are known for the ease of availability of the drug.

Legality

Cultivation and use of cannabis were generally outlawed in 1928. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in its original form, the plant or herb was classed as a class B drug,[1] but was downgraded to a class C drug in January 2004.[2]

On May 7 2008, against the advice of the government's own commissioned report, the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced the government’s intention to reclassify cannabis as a class B drug. [3] In 2008, the UK government commissioned a study into the effects of the downgrading of cannabis from Class B to Class C. Subsequently British prime minister Gordon Brown announced his government would disregard the findings of the committee, which recommended that cannabis should remain a Class C substance. On 26 January 2009, Cannabis was reclassified as a Class B drug in England and Wales.[4]

See also: Cannabis reclassification in the United Kingdom

Advocacy

See also

References

  1. ^ The Original Text of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
  2. ^ Mental illnesses go up after cannabis downgrade. The Daily Mail - 25 April 2008.
  3. ^ Cannabis laws to be strengthened, BBC News webpage, dated 7 May 2008, accessed 26 September, 2008
  4. ^ Cannabis upgraded to Class B drug, BBC News - Retrieved 26 January 2009


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