Police chiefs have reversed their support for the downgrading of cannabis. Cannabis ought to be reclassified as a class B drug, said the Association of Chief Police Officers at their annual drug conference.
The U-turn comes in the wake of mounting evidence of the damaging effect of cannabis use, particularly its link with mental heath problems.
Tim Hollis, the Chief Constable of Humberside and chairman of the ACPO drugs committee, said: "There is now a broad consensus. We would support re-classification of cannabis if that was the decision taken."
He continued: "People are genuinely confused about where cannabis sits in the hierarchy. There is growing evidence of the potential harm cannabis can cause, particularly to teenagers. There is a disproportionate risk to young people, particularly from stronger cannabis."
Cannabis was reclassified from a class B to a class C drug by then Home Secretary David Blunkett in changes which were implemented in 2004. The Government is currently reviewing its decision.
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