Isn't it funny that EVERY SINGLE COMMENT here is against the Government's outdated views?

I say bring on the next election as I will NOT be voting Labour, that's unless David Miliband takes over as leader, some newer/fresher blood and ideas are needed at the top of Government please!

A. Hunt, London, UK

The IDS-tendency in the Tory party hope to turn the classification of cannabis into a political football.

If they were serious about the drugs problem, politicians would adopt the successful policies of the Dutch, who have curbed the use of hard drugs by tolerating the sale of soft drugs to adults.

However, it's easier to posture as a drug warrior than it is to do something to ameliorate the situation.

Chris, chesterfield, uk

It is in our nature to find scape goats for various social problems or for politicians to try and look proactive by tackling issues they can control like the reclassification of drugs. Alcohol and tobacco are both drugs but we have shown that individual responsibilty is the key, with education and guidlines. This should be the same for other drugs (def: a narcotic, hallucinogen or stimulant, especially one causing addiction). In fact, the majority of people in this nation take 'drugs' although not the politically contentious kind.

This fact is highlighted by Prof. Herman Goldstein, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, "curiously, nicotine and alcohol and caffeine, in common parlance and political rhetoric, are often not even called drugs [...] they are rarely mentioned in our perennial 'war on drugs' [...] phrases like 'alcohol and drugs" or "tobacco and drugs' reinforce[s] this idea".

Source ref: http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=753

Laura, Woking, Surrey

And back in the real world, millions of people continue to skin-up not caring whether it's class A, B, C or Z!

Keep it illegal, we pay enough tax.

Blavid Dunket, Sheffield, UK

When did the Govt ever take any notice of science or experts ?

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Popularly we are told that given the lack of legislation governing Cannabis sales, it may be more widely used among vulnerable teens than alcohol. The argument then runs that in order to have control over the substance the government should legalise the drug and bring its supply under the control of new legislation.

I have never noticed that teenagers have any difficulty in obtaining alcohol and so frankly I doubt that "legalising" the sale of Cannabis would have any significant impact on its use, except I guess that some teens who are genuinely law abiding will be tempted to try it where previously the would not.

There is no point in a government introducing new legislation when it is clear they are unable to enforce the current legislation.

The only legislation this government can enforce involves fining the generally law abiding, registered and locatable members of the populace where detection and enforcement costs are at a minimum.

Nothing that requires any effort

Bob, Reading,

Another PR stunt by Brown!! Where does he propose to put all these new criminals if Weed is reclassified as Class B? The prisons are already full... the police can just about cope with all the stabbings, murders and violent disorder. The government should just tax Weed and allow its consumption in certain coffee shops. It would make far more sense! I think that government need to show that they are in touch with the common people... not devoid of reality. Weed is so available in the UK that it is being exported to the rest of Europe from the UK. That is a sign of a failed drugs policy from our draconian legislature.

Herb, Liverpool, Merseyside

Huw from London, please don't think that because that according to your good self there hasn't been one case of death by cannabis (though I would seriously doubt that) that it is a safe drug.

It is as harmful to your health as cigarettes and in cases where it is taken with tabacco some may argue more so

Cannabis like if taken must be done responsibily, I would be interested to see how many deaths on the road are directly linked to cannabis abuse when driving you can start with the 75 people killed each each leaving glastonbury

Don't be under the illusion like so many other uses that it is this amazing wonderful thing that is perfectly safe...... because being friends with a good many people that smoke you just look an idiot when the justifications and benefit of cannabis rant comes out........

Steve Williamson, Manchester, UK

If cannabis were legalised we would have far more people, like me who would never break any law for recreational purposes, using it. It would take a few years but eventually the small numberthat cannabis affects badly at present would gorw to become a significant number as usage increased and then we will be sorry - but it will be too late. Look at tobacco or alcohol. Would these be legalised today if the breadth of health and social consequences of legalisation were known. Only a fool would do so, a rich fool, and even then the grim consequences for people's lives cannot be mitigated fully by throwing money at it.

Gerry, Clydebank,

I need a nice relaxing spliff to unwind after being crammed like a sardine on a malfunctioning tube and slogging all day to pay my extortionate tax, utility bills, mortgage and travel costs.

I have been a dedicated 'herbivore' for over two decades and, while I concede that puffers tend to be a bit forgetful and lazy, they are hardly inclined to be a public nuisance or a menace to society. We're too nicely chilled out.

The government has much more pressing issues to sort out than the marijuana non-problem.

Jules D, London,

My wife did research on the various drugs for her masters degree and i will tell you it does affect you in later life. It is never very popular to try to take away something that people are dependent on.

ben barr, nowilkesboro, nc/usa

Throw another hundred thousand people in jail! Smart move, Gordon. Plenty of room left, if you stack them five deep.

People who smoke a lot of weed tend to be harmless and rather boring, whereas people who drink too much tend to be dangerous and frightening.

Who would you prefer to see in jail?

Dave Morgan, Portree, UK

Of course Alcohol and Tabacco effect many more people because many more people take these drugs!!! And the research into the effects of Cannabis is in relative terms new when compared to the hundreds of years worth uninterrupted abuse with alcohol and tobacco.
Hell if this was grant funded then it is shocking what research our money gets spent on in the name of science.
The "toakers" out there wouldn't want it legalised because that means that the "20 bag" that they all put their pocket money in to afford will cost £40 because of tax so there will be no more cash for munchies!!! Pot is pot and frankly no one give a damn about it..... there are bigger problems out there
Also, I think it would be a shame to take away the comedy value of listening to a "toaker" rant on about government conspiracies, the benefits of cannabis use and generally justifying spending a load of cash on something that gives you as much benefit as standing in a stream picking your nose..

Steve Williamson, Manchester, UK

"NEIL" is correct with his quotations.

There are two significant beneficial consequences of decriminalising the sale and use of mind altering drugs.

Firstly, the product will be much cheaper (assuming that the government isn't stupid enough to use it for revenue earning, as it does with alcohol and tobacco). This will immediately result in less secondary real crime, i.e. no more knocking little old ladies over the head to steal the cash, and also redirects the money, currently passing through the hands of organised (and disorganised) crime, to legitimate business (albeit, including the tax man).

Secondly, the quality can be controlled, as with other food and drugs, with consequent reduction of health risk to the user.

Additionally, it is important and legitimate for a society to require honesty in representation of a product or service being offered, and only when something is legal can information describing its benefits and dangers be effectively disseminated.

Antonio, Estepona, Spain

To those who are so desperately in favour of all out legalisation, I would ask how this would stamp out the black market in cannabis. Whilst many question the risks posed by 'super weed,' as opposed to any other type of the substance, serious doubts remain as to the sense in taking such strains if you are in a psychological risk group. The government could not in its right mind allow all strains of the drug to be freely consumed.

Further, widespread use does not demonstrate the lack of harm. Mistakes were made in allowing alcohol and tobacco to become entrenched in society. Perhaps it was closed minded to decide that Cannabis was a less dangerous drug. However, the original classification was not carefully considered and neither was the recent re-clasification. That the issue is being reconsidered is not incorrect or an attempt to divert attention from more serious issues. It is an attempt to respond to public demand in a manner that is consistent with the protection of health.

J Riley, London, UK

The law should recognise the different strains of cannabis. The most potent with extraordinary levels of TCH should most definately be acknowledged as class B. However, the weaker strains should remain class C.

Also, medical uses such as those suffering from MS or other types of diseases should be considered legal (perhaps after exhausting all other forms of pain relief).

Veronica, Enfield, London,

Are this countries laws based on science, statistics and evidence or not? If they were we all know that alcohol and tobacco would be above cannabis and other currently illegal drugs in any classification system. Does this government want to send out the message that they are unfair, illogical and hypocritical?

Take control - starting by decriminalising cannabis...

Chris H, Paignton, UK

And a couple more points:
I am not my brother's keeper, and it is nobody's business but his what he puts in his body, and only mine what I do to myself. Ergo, if someone doesn't want to "do" drugs, they should not be forced to.

However, and very importantly, if I endanger or offend others while under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or any other drug, it is I who have sinned, not the substance.

Antonio, Estepona, Spain

Unfortunately for Mr. Brown he continues to send messages to us all (not just young people) about what is "unacceptable". Namely a corrupt and inept government that continues to prosecute an illegal war and treat us all as ignorant idiots on a variety of issues including this one.
The unacceptable aspect of cannabis has been admirably laid out by other correspondents (wasting police resources, criminalising otherwise law abiding citizens, allowing impure cannabis to be peddled by organised crime instead of cashing in on the undoubted bonanza of legalised, dutiable supplies etc.)
I and most of my friends have been smoking the stuff for over FORTY years having been otherwise law abiding and productive members of society. As for paranoia I suspect this only arises in people who are prone to that condition to begin with.
When will politicians have the guts to finally legalise this harmless pastime?

Roger, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

You better believe it - GORDO will press on with these changes to cannabis classification - just like he did an about turn on Casinos' - Hes truly a man of vision - he knows whats right for you (does that remind you of Chairman Mau ....?)

David Nammory, Liverpool,

I have to say, reading this article in the Times, i thought the comments would be more Anti-cannabis.
I cannot find a single one. legalise it. Dont privatise it. Tax it and make a profit.
Gorden Listen to The people!
I am 23, have smoked since i was 14. I have 8 A-C GCSE'S, a Job and my own home.
I do have friends who have bee effected by excess smoking of cannabis, but honestly believe they were pre-disposed to those before cannabis.
I dont see the benefits of not legalising it? I f you smoke and want some, you can get it easily. The Government are just losing out on evry eighth i buy.

p.s
There is not one Death in medical history related to the taking of cannabis.

Huw, London,

I can see that the government must be seen to be protecting the public, and obviously its not going to make britain the most productive place if everyone is running around high all the time.

However i agree with the opinions most other people have given here. Whatever the government ban, be it drugs, violent computer games, music downloading etc. people will always find a way to do it. Surely it would be better for the government to control cannabis' consumption and make profit from it, comparably to other dangerous substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and petrol etc. that other readers have listed above.

At the end of the day, the government isnt concerned about your safety or happiness, they are concerned about making money. If they were concerned about your happiness then they would legalise cannabis for all the people who want it!

Martin, York, UK

Why don't they just legalise the damn thing and have done with it? People are always going to use it. It is a plant! How is it classed as a 'drug' if It is natural? Why do these men in suits have the right to say what we do with it? Because WE let them!! They don't want people to use it and engage in deep thinking or open up new channels of conscious thought! The 'government' you think is in power are just puppets for an imbalanced bunch of predatory control freaks, that have enslaved the public. It's time to start fighting back!

Michael, Manchester, Greater Manchester

There should be a recognition that not all weed is the same. The skunk you get these days is ludicrously strong so I don't smoke it anymore. "Normal" weed is ok though for me personally. My point is that different strains have different effects, and different people have differing tolerances. If there has to be some reclassification to B, maybe it's fair enough for skunk but not for normal grass.

(Incidentally, isn't another difference between class B and class C that you only get a caution with the latter but with class B you can get arrested?

Steve, London, UK

"to send a signal to young people that the use of cannabis was 'unacceptable'"

I sure that would have worked really well. I'm sure it would have had a huge impact...

bob, london,

All drugs should be legalised. Prohibition clearly does not work. The problem with drugs is the very illegality.

This way the govenment will have more control of the of the situation and dealers will have very little.

Stuart Carroll, west draytn, UK

Even though cannabis is not good for you, it is a lot less harmful to society than alcohol will ever be...Just look at the UK (and France) where alcohol abuse causes so much violence, desolation and social problems...if cannabis is a class B drug then alcohol should be class A...
Our governments are very hypocritical on the matter... Our states and economies wouldn't like to have to go without the juicy alcohol market, that's all. Their concerns are purely economical rather than public health related

Isabelle, Maisons-Laffitte, France

If the governments own panel indicates that cannabis is little more harmful than cigarettes and possibly less harmful than alcohol, what's the continued justification for it's illegality? It's obviously not health and the social impact is purely due to the criminalisation of users.

What ante-diluvian ideology is the government still working under? It obviously isn't rationality or logic.

T Lewis, London,

There's no doubt that cannabis can contribute to mental illness, schizophrenia etc but you'll find most people where pre-disposed to mental illness before they smoked and the cannabis advanced their illness faster than it might otherwise have done naturally. when the government work out how to regulate and more importantly tax cannabis that's when it will be legalised.

mal, guildford, surrey

If the government wants to do something about popular ignorance, they can put up posters saying "cannabis is still illegal". Changing the law to "send a message" is a complete waste of time and resources.

Andrew Gallagher, Galway,

At a time when most other Western European countries are moving to decriminalise, such moves here in the UK should be seen for what they really are -- superficial dithering by an otherwise ineffectual "leader".

Mark, London,

i also think cannabis should be legalised, the "mental" problems caused by cannabis i think is coming from the "soap bar" cannabis which is made specificaly for this country from plastic and used engine oil.
just legalise it, and stop the ganagsters killing everyone with the poison cannabis, cash in on the tax and stamp out the black market!!
i think its a case of who does not smoke cannabis theses days

stephen, haverfordwest, uk

I have recently been studying the harmful effects of drugs at college, and when the research is carried out its apparent that alcohol and tobacco affect many more people and are proven to damage health. Whereas the harmful affects of cannabis is a grey area, much of which is speculation.

Surely if the government wanted to help the nation then they should change alcohol and tobacco laws, but then again think of the profits they would be loosing on tax/revenue!!

Rachel, Manchester,

I used to smoke cannabis and after I started smoking skunk all the time I started to get paranoid, so I stopped smoking and decided it wasn't for me. I stopped getting paranoid after a month or so and Im sure that if I had just smoked normal weed I would have not gotten paranoid. My point is it didn't suit me so I stopped, but there are many people who it will suit and so they should not be penalised for smoking it, alcohol taking in regular large quantities can also affect mental health. I say leglise it and the government can control the purity and strength of it.

Tom , London, UK

A.Hunt - Totally agree with you

V Singh, Southampton, Hants

"The maximum sentence for dealing in the drug remained the same, at seven years."

That is of course wrong.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/drugs-law/Class-a-b-c/

As if to complicate matters further, in addition to reducing the maximum penalty for possession from an unenforceable 5 years' imprisonment to a negligibly less enforceable 2 years' imprisonment, the penalty for supply for class C drugs was raised to 14 years - the same as for class B.

Threatening your citizens with the sort of punishments one would more reasonably expect for violent crimes is not the way to "send a message" to anyone.
To accommodate all the regular adult cannabis users we would need an additional 2 or 3 million prison places, not the proposed 20,000.

The Dutch have gone at least half way to solving the drugs problem, whey can't we ?

Still, it's a handy diversion from really difficult issues isn't it...

Compost Mentis, Beasley Street, UK

I agree with both of you it is also a lot more socially acceptable who's heard of anyone having a smoke and causing a riot! the same cannot be said for alcohol however!

Rory, Redditch, England

Please excuse the excessive use of quotations, but...

"Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes crimes out of things that are not crimes." - Abraham Lincoln

"It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly." - Henry George

"Alcohol didn't cause the high crime rates of the '20s and '30s, Prohibition did. And drugs do not cause today's alarming crime rates, but drug prohibition does." - US District Judge James C. Paine, addressing the Federal Bar Association in Miami, November, 1991

Neil, London,

I have smoked cannabis 'skunk' for the past ten years, I have a good career in PR, own my own property, have a great circle of friends, many of whom smoke, and enjoy many holidays abroad a year.

Yes, I agree that cannabis could affect some younger or vulnerable people in a bad way, but then so can alcohol, cigarettes, too much food etc etc.

Many of the politicians that are so anti cannabis and certain newspapers that sensationalise the statistics I assume haven't even tried it so how can they comment?

Surely there are better things that the police can do with their time, like catching criminals and terrorists?

A. Hunt, London, UK

I think cannabis should just be legalised. A lot of us want it and then the government doesn't have to worry about it. I know people who smoke and it doesn't really affect them. The government should worry about other things then this.

Jen, Bristol,