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MP heads probe into cannabis use

Bethan Dorsett
22/ 2/2008

A PROBE into the risks of using cannabis is being headed by the MP for Altrincham and Sale West.

Graham Brady agreed to chair a cross-party parliamentary group after hearing of the damaging effects of the drug from worried parents.

It comes as the government comes under pressure to re-classify cannabis as a class B drug instead of class C.

The parliamentary group hopes to raise awareness and stimulate debate about the dangers of cannabis for young people.

Scientific research has linked the drug to range of mental health problems including psychosis and schizophrenia.

Mr Brady said he has not tried the drug but had grave concerns about the risks it posed, particularly to young users.

He became involved in the parliamentary group after speaking to representatives from Talking About Cannabis, an organisation formed by parents who had witnessed the impact of cannabis on their children.

Mr Brady said: "The government is currently reviewing its classification of the drug and I would very much like to see the drug reclassified as class B.

"Cannabis can have a disastrous effect, not just on the lives of those young people who choose to take it but on their families as well.

"Much of the cannabis available now is much stronger than it was in the past and it is vitally important that the public is made aware of the dangers associated with taking it."

Following the first meeting of the group on Monday, Mr Brady said he was looking forward to working with the group.

He hopes their hard work may go beyond the reclassification of the drug, adding: "I hope that our group can put pressure on the government, not just to reclassify cannabis, but to introduce the major public health campaign which it promised but has yet to deliver."