§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how soon he would be able to bring forward legislation to legalise cannabis following a recommendation to that effect arising from current trials; [10541]
(2) when he expects to receive the findings of phase 3 of the clinical trials of the therapeutic properties of cannabis. [10540]
§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth[holding answer 26 October 2001]: Detailed evidence about clinical trials with cannabis and derivatives was presented to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry into 500W therapeutic uses of cannabis. This information is recorded in the Committee's reports "Cannabis: The Scientific and Medical Evidence" (Ninth Report Session 1997–1998, HL Paper 151) and "Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis" (Second Report Session 2000–2001 HL Paper 50), copies of which are available in the Library. The timings relating to on-going trials are clearly a matter for the sponsors, but I understand that GW Pharmaceuticals hope to have completed phase 3 trials, which are a prelude to a licensing application, by next summer.
The Government welcome these trials and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has made it clear that if a product licence is recommended by the Medicines Control Agency he would approve the necessary changes to the Misuse of Drugs legislation. These changes can be made swiftly, by way of secondary legislation subject to negative resolution, although it is not possible at this time to give precise timings.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the Metropolitan Police intend to extend its policy on not arresting cannabis users in Lambeth to other parts of London; [8650]
(2) what estimate he has made of the effect of police policy in Lambeth on cannabis possession on the Government's targets on drug reduction; [8651]
(3) what indications he has received from chief constables outside London that they plan to introduce policies on cannabis possession similar to that in force in Lambeth; [8652]
(4) what indications he has given to chief constables outside London on introducing policies on cannabis possession similar to that in force in Lambeth. [8653]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthLambeth borough is currently conducting a pilot warning scheme for simple cases of possession of cannabis for personal use, running from 2 July to 31 December 2001.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced his intention to reclassify cannabis, from Class B to Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for medical and scientific advice. He will consider this advice in conjunction with the findings of the evaluation of the Lambeth pilot. The Home Secretary intends to take a final decision in the spring of next year.