A BOLTON MP who has campaigned for the legalisation of cannabis is delighted that the stringent laws surrounding the drug will be relaxed next spring under proposals announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Possession of cannabis will no longer be an arrestable offence and reclassified as a "Class C" drug, putting it in the same category as anti-depressants or steroids.

Bolton South East MP Dr Brian Iddon is impressed by the turnaround from his party, which came to power in 1997 pledging "zero tolerance" on drugs.

But he wants the law to be relaxed even further and said: "It is good news and is a step in the right direction, but it is not even decriminalisation, never mind legalisation of the drug.

"The legislation will pave the way for doctors to write prescriptions for cannabis.

"When David Blunkett got the position as Home Secretary there was a different feeling coming from the Home Office, so I wasn't totally surprised when this was announced.

"Most of the colleagues I've spoken to think this move is common sense, but of course some people will think David Blunkett is daft."

The Home Secretary will ask the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for scientific advice before going ahead, but the group first recommended reclassifying cannabis in 1979 and the move is no more than a rubber-stamping exercise.

Cocaine

Mr Blunkett hopes the relaxation of the law will allow police to concentrate their resources on targeting heroin and cocaine dealers.

Yesterday's proposals will not have any effect on people who cultivate cannabis -- an offence which carries a 14 year maximum jail term.

Home Office figures show that nearly 82,000 people were arrested for cannabis-related offences in 1999, more than double the figure for 1990.