Scientists criticise cannabis plans

LONDON (Reuters) - Leading scientists and MPs have criticised government plans to tighten the rules on cannabis by reclassifying it as a class B drug, arguing the decision ignores the opinion of experts.

The House of Lords is due to debate the plans to raise cannabis from the less serious class C, a move ministers say is necessary because of public concern about skunk, a stronger strain which now dominates the market.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced in May that the government would push ahead with the plans despite advice from the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) which argued there was insufficient evidence to regrade cannabis to class B.

In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, the group, which included two former chief scientists and a former head of the Medical Research Council, said reclassification could be "very damaging" to the downward trend of the drug's use.

"Cannabis use has fallen in recent years, especially following its downgrading to class C in 2004 and it is obviously unwise to risk reversing that trend," the letter said.

"The classification system must be credible -- reclassification would send out an ambiguous message about the dangers of current class B drugs."

Under the tighter class B rules, cannabis would be on a par with amphetamines and barbiturates, with users facing up to five years' jail and suppliers a maximum of 14 years.

Proponents of a tougher drugs policy say its class C status ignores cannabis's potential health impacts.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Steve Addison)