Cannabis is being reclassified from Class C to a class B drug.

May 7, 2008 – 1:29 pm

Cannabis is being reclassified from Class C to a class B drag carrying a maximum 5 year jail sentence for possession against the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. 

Cannabis users of the world were heard to mutter “Wha?” and turn back to their Sitar practice.

Now I should display my drugs credentials on my sleeve here. I like the majority of people my age did inhale, did enjoy and put it back in its box and moved on to more adult things like jobs, responsibility and not having a collection of glass bongs. I’d had fun but its time was through. There can be nothing sadder than a 40 year old pretending he’s still 14, proudly displaying hot rock burns in his handknitted hemp sweater. 

Jacqui Smith is ignoring the advice of the commmitte specifically set up to advise her on drugs policy and regrade Dope as a class B drug along with speed and downers. First class. Its a move of such spectacular chutzpa you’d think she was the one on drugs.

“Mrs Smith, We pay enormous amounts every year to this committee so they can advise you on drug policy.”

“Yes?”

“And you’re just going to ignore their well thought through and composed recommendations?”

“Yes.”

“Because?”

“Because I know better.”

“Because you know better about drugs than a panel of experts picked specifically for their knowledge on the abuse of drugs? Right. Irony is totally lost on you isn’t it?”

One question that isn’t being asked is who’s on this panel? Experts on the Misuse of drugs? Is misuse when you shove them in your ear instead of swallowing them? Or is misuse having that fourth bath bong when you know you really shouldn’t and spewing everywhere?

And I question these ’so called’ experts expertise. Have they ever tried to score in South London after midnight? Have they ever given over a twenty for a baggie only to find its pure grade A Oregano? Have they ever had to make small talk at a party with someone you usually wouldn’t take the time to spit on, in the hope they’ll pass their J your way? 

No they haven’t. 

 

It’s like choosing the Catholic Church to advise on a sexual policy. 

“They never have sex so they’re bound to be the best people to consult on it.” 

Can it be any wonder that less than a week after the worst result for her party in over forty years Labour decide to focus on a soft target? One that can’t fight back. There is no Big Cannabis, no pressure group worth noticing for the Sinsemilla lobby, pressure not being something normally associated with smoking draw. 

Unless you’re skinning up in a room full of people you don’t know. Then they’re secretly grading both it and you on width, use of skins, tobacco to dope ratio and time taken from start to burn.

It’s a desperate and quite sad ploy to drag the voters back by being seen as being ‘Hard on Drugs’. Pathetic. 

Being re-classifed from C to B will have zero impact on people selling buying and taking this particular drug. You could threaten people with life imprisonment and people will still bring it into your country. United Arab Emirates, I’m looking at you and your locking up of upstanding young drum and bass DJs. Where oh where will the kids get their Doush Doush music to play at appalling volume in ridiculous looking cars now? (Yes, I am seventy five.)  

In conclusion its a totally futile gesture. Users won’t care, dealers will ignore it, the voters in the Conservative heartland you’re reaching out to will ignore it as being just another Labour PR exercise and the Police won’t bother convicting anyone they don’t consider dangerous or a dealer. 

So exactly the same as now then. 

 

Carry on.

 

- Rob