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New recommendations could halt plans for re-classification of cannabis

Recommendations that cannabis should remain a class C drug could quash the prime minister's plans to re-categorise the substance as class B.

Advisors to the government are expected to suggest that marijuana should remain in the lower category later this month, according to the BBC.

A change back to class B following its downgrade in January 2004 would see jail sentences for possession of cannabis rise from two years to five years.

But the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is reportedly set to oppose Gordon Brown's view that this is necessary to send out a message about the dangers of substance abuse.

It is thought that the Council's findings may be based on a recent piece of research from Keele University which found nothing to support the theory that there has been an increase in cases of schizophrenia since cannabis use became more popular in the 1970s.

Recent research published by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine suggested that those who are withdrawing from heavy cannabis use could experience similar symptoms to those who are quitting cigarette smoking.

Article originally published on 12/04/2008 by DryOutNow.com, the alcohol specific website for Addiction Advisor

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