Drug Education News

Frankly it’s been a bit daunting trying to get a grip of all the reaction out there, but with no promises about chronology here’s what I’ve seen:

Bolton MP slams ‘pointless’ cannabis decision - The Bolton News carries Brian Iddon’s views, which include the need for better drug education.

Are voters getting drugs message? -The BBC’s home editor wonders who “the message” of reclassification is aimed at.

Split opinion on cannabis debate - The BBC have two members of the public with different views.

Cannabis laws to be strengthened - The BBC report the government’s decision and what it means.

Q&A: Cannabis guidelines - The BBC look at how the police will enforce the new classification.

Home Secretary calls for squeeze on cannabis - Children and Young People Now say the Home Secretary has asked the police to “crack down” on cannabis use.

No Need to Reclassify Cannabis - The Daily Star report the ACMD’s views.

Smith Snubs Experts Over Cannabis - The Daily Star then says the government are going to reclassify despite the ACMD’s view.

Reefer madness: Do the drug laws work? - ask The Independent.

Smith tightens laws on cannabis - The Independent report.

Labour defies experts in cannabis crackdown - is how the Daily Mail sees it.

Ministers face row over cannabis regrading - in the Metro.

Skunk cannabis is three times stronger than ten years ago - is the Mirror’s headline.

Government to rule on cannabis and Cannabis classification to be tightened - are the stories for Reuters.

Government set to defy its own experts and upgrade cannabis again; Smith upgrades cannabis to class B; Main Aim ‘must be to reduce demand’; and Scientists warn Smith over cannabis reclassification - were the four stories I saw in the Guardian.

The Telegraph had three stories that I saw: Cannabis reclassification Q&A, Cannabis to be upgraded to class B drug, and Cannabis U-turn Q&A they also have a video of the Home Secretary’s statement to Parliament.

The Times in their Rise of the ’spliff society’ suggest it’s unlikely to make a difference to how young people view the drug. Elsewhere they report Cannabis goes back to Class B despite drug experts’ verdict.

The Express see it as Cannabis: Labour’s Latest U-Turn.

Away from the mainstream media there were three blog pieces that you may find useful.

Sara McGrail says Alas Smith and Brown, Transform stick their tongue firmly in their cheek saying Millions quit cannabis following reclassification, and Helen Sello questions whether messages about risk are best dealt with by the criminal justice system.