BOLTON MP Brian Iddon has welcomed the Governments decision not to reclassify cannabis.
The MP for Bolton South-east said the decision for cannabis to remain a Class C substance would allow police to focus on tackling harder drugs.
The Government came under pressure to review the law after new links were found between cannabis use and mental health problems.
Dr Iddon, who chairs the All Parliamentary Group on the Misuse of Drugs, said: "I welcome the Home Secretarys stance. I have argued about the classification of drugs for a long time, and to alter the grading of cannabis again would have confused the public. This will leave the police to tackle harder drugs."
Chris Davies, Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the North-west, also welcomed the announcement by Charles Clarke.
Mr Davies: "Making criminals of people who are causing no harm to anyone other than themselves makes no sense at all. It is a waste of police time and public resources."
Mr Davies has a criminal conviction for possession of cannabis after leading a protest against drugs policy in 2002.
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