Solidarity Co-Convenor Rosemary Byrne has criticised the plans to re-classify cannabis.

SNP Minister Fergus Ewing says he backs Gordon Brown's plans to upgrade cannabis from a "class C" to "class B" drug, just 18 months after the new classification was reviewed by a panel of experts who recommended no change. She said:

"Drug classification is for the purposes of sentencing in courts and does nothing to address the problems of drug use. Re-classifying cannabis to a "class B" will lead to more prosecutions, more jail sentences but not, as we know from past experience, a lower use of the drug. This is a knee-jerk reaction and a distraction from the real debate."

Senior politicians including Ewing have been lining up over the last few days to admit cannabis use in their youth while quoting the health risks associated with cannabis as a reason for the upgrade, Rosemary pointed out the problem with this approach:

"If we are basing legality and sentencing on the health risks then we would be seeing a uniform approach to cannabis aligned with alcohol and tobacco. Politicians are keen to repeat the idea that cannabis is stronger than when they used it, but the same could be said for the alcopops and cider that young people drink today. We have a serious drug problem in Scotland and only a measured, evidence-based approach will have an affect, not playing to the press and headline grabbing." Last Year Rosemary, as Solidarity MSP for South of Scotland, introduced a bill for rehabilitation and treatment for drug users. The measures included a guarantee of treatment