Why cannabis should stay at Class C

In 2007, a systematic review of research by esteemed medical journal The Lancet found that frequency of cannabis use does increase the risk of psychotic illness like schizophrenia by up to 40%.

One of the studies included in this analysis found that around 14% of psychotic illnesses would not have occurred had cannabis not been used.

Rethink are concerned at the low awareness levels of these facts among the general public; especially amongst young people who are most at risk of developing psychosis following cannabis use. Results from our own 2007 survey of this group show that:

• Nearly half (46%) think that cannabis is better for you than alcohol
• 1 in 4 think that cannabis is better for you than coffee
• Classification makes no difference to whether people use cannabis

Read more about the research in Educating Reefer

The proportion of young people using cannabis has actually fallen since it was reclassified in January 2004, from 25.3 per cent. of 16 to 24-year-olds in 2003-04 to 20.9 per cent. in 2006-07.

This decline could be explained by the promotional campaigns undertaken by ourselves and other voluntary sector organisations, as well as increased levels of debate around the mental health risks in the media at the time of reclassification.

Instead of wasting time and money tinkering with the legal classification of cannabis, what is really needed is the kind of full-scale public education campaign that the government promised in 2006. In particular this should be targeted at young people, as they are most vulnerable to psychosis after cannabis use. Our research shows that young people want this information – we think they should receive it as a right.