Smoking cannabis will no longer be against the criminal law under new government plans. Beginning January 2004, recreational users of the drug will be free from prosecution. Home Secretary David Blunkett handed Parliament a draft order to downgrade the drug from Class B to the low-risk Class C to allow police to focus resources on hard drugs like heroin.

"After reclassification, most offences of cannabis possession by adults will result in a police warning and confiscation of the drug," Blunkett said. No further action will be taken unless there are complaints, evidence of repeated possession or the smoking in public. However, people smoking near schools and playgrounds will face arrest.

Police chiefs urged their officers to take a more relaxed approach to cannabis in line with the new policy. Andy Hayman, drugs spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said the rationale for existing drug laws – that people who tried cannabis were often led on to harder drugs – had been disproved. "The theory of gateway drugs doesn't stand up," he said.

(Sources: UPI of 12 September 2003, Reuters of 12 September 2003)