In May 2008 the current Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced that she would reverse the 2004 decision and put cannabis back into category B.
The move went against the ACMD’s latest recommendations, but was, she said, necessary because of research linking heavy use of the drug with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.

Ms Smith said she was particularly concerned over the rise in consumption of super-strength strains of cannabis, such as “skunk”.
The Home Office say such strains account for 80% of all cannabis seizures in the UK.

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*** THE NEW APPROACH

Class A: Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms,
amphetamines (if prepared for injection).
Possession: Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Dealing: Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Class B: Cannabis, amphetamines, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine.
Possession: Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Class C: Tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB),
Ketamine.
Possession: Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both

Source: ECAD Newsletter 25th Jan. 2009