UK cannabis laws to be relaxed

Britain's stringent cannabis laws are to be relaxed next spring under proposals announced by the British Home Secretary.

David Blunkett says possession of cannabis should no longer be an arrestable offence and should be reclassified as a "Class C" drug.

That puts it in the same category as anti-depressants or steroids.

When Labour came to power in 1997 it pledged "zero tolerance" on drugs.

Mr Blunkett has denied the move is decriminalisation, stressing cannabis will remain illegal, but says it will mean drugs laws "make more sense on the street".

In practice, cannabis users will be unlikely to face any consequences if they are caught with small amounts of the drug.

The Home Secretary is to ask Briain's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for scientific advice before going ahead.

The group first recommended reclassifying cannabis in 1979 and the move is no more than a rubber-stamping exercise.

Mr Blunkett said if the ACMD reports back within three months, he could make a final decision on the proposals next spring.

He says it will allow British police to concentrate their resources on targeting heroin and cocaine dealers.