[Herb Fellow]

The UK has introduced another legal measure that is likely to discourage drug mules intending to smuggle ganja into the country. The British government will be upgrading ganja from a Class C drug to the more serious classification of Class B. The confirmation came Wednesday from British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith in an address to the House of Commons.

The move will mean stricter penalties for ganja smugglers and anyone found in possession of the drug however small. Ms. Smith ignored the advice and opinions of experts who have worked with drug users and studied the effects of ganja. On the recommendation of Prime Minister Gordon Brown she proceeded to approve the reclassification.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) concluded that the health dangers from ganja use do not justify inclusion in the higher category.
ACMD comprises experts including doctors, police, judges and drug councilors who concluded that ganja remain Class C.

But Prime Minister Brown wanted the drug which was downgraded to Class C under Tony Blair moved back to Class B amid particular concerns about the prevalence of the stronger ‘skunk' variety. The Prime Minister reportedly believed that there is a strong link between ganja use and rising crime.

Ganja smoking was seen as a Jamaican or more specifically a Rastafarian cultural pastime however the practice is now widespread across ethnicities although the British public continues to make stereotypical Jamaican associations with the drug.

At present as a Class C drug possession of a minimum quantity ranges from a mere warning to two years in prison. The upgrade to Class B means an increase to five years.

Source: RadioJamaica.com
Copyright: 2008, RadioJamaica.com
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