The Classification of Cannabi Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, “The Classification of Cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971,” (London: UK Home Office, March 2002).
Unlike the U.S., the British government maintains an independent group of scientific experts to advise it on drug policy, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. This 2002 report formed the basis for the British government's decision to "downgrade" marijuana to the lowest category of illicit drugs, eliminating most marijuana possession arrests. Some highlights: "It is possible to rank the risks of dependence of abused drugs, with heroin and crack cocaine the worst and cannabis generally at, or near, the bottom (and well below nicotine and alcohol)," and, "The high use of cannabis is not associated with major health problems for the individual or society." (see also , “Further Consideration of the Classification of Cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971,” and "Cannabis Classification and Public Health (2008)")
