Preston People Speak Out Against Cannabis Law Changes

Preston people have spoken out against new laws to reclassify Cannabis.

The drug was downgraded to class C in 2004, but home secretary Jacqui Smith plans to take the drug back to class B.

Andy Wilson, 22, a plasterer from Fulwood, said: “I know people who smoke weed and they’re not hurting anyone. I don’t see the point. It won’t stop people wanting to smoke. It’ll just make it worse for people who get caught.”

Deborah Headen, 31, a hairdresser from Ashton, agreed that the new laws would not stop people using Cannabis: “I don’t see what good it would do. People aren’t going to stop smoking it and this just makes them into more of a criminal when they do.”

Confusion

Other people felt confused by the proposed reclassification.

Riswan Desail, a 23 year old student said: “I don’t understand why they changed it in the first place then. And a study said Cannabis use was going down didn’t it? So why are they backtracking now?”

Support

But not everyone in Preston thinks that the change is a bad idea.

Terry Sweeney, from Blackpool, said: “I think it should be class A. It’s the only way to stop these druggies. It’s about time that the government did something to be honest. Cannabis gets people hooked on worse drugs so they should nip it in the bud.”

Maureen Conlon, a 63 year old retired teacher from Sharoe Green said: “I think class B is about right really. Not as bad as heroin or whatever, but you should do enough to try and deter it.”