Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Rejected
Paragraph: 54
Home Office selectively adopts ACMD advice on drug classification changes.
Conclusion
The ACMD seeks to provide scientific, evidence-based recommendations to support the development of evidence-based drug policy. We note that the Home Office appears more likely to adopt advice to increase the classification of a controlled drug than it is to adopt advice to reduce the classification of a controlled drug. For example, we note that in the cases of cannabis, MDMA, khat and nitrous oxide, the ACMD recommended a lower classification, or no classification based on a review of the evidence. We acknowledge that scientific evidence should remain a key driver but not the main driver in the development drug policy in all cases, including when the scientific evidence supports reducing the level of control placed upon a drug.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the essential role of ACMD advice but asserts its prerogative to make alternative decisions, taking into account other relevant factors to protect the public, even when differing from ACMD conclusions.
Paragraph Reference:
54
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs forms an essential part of our decision making, and we continue to have complete faith in its quality and rigour. However, the Government can decide to progress alternative action that it deems necessary, taking into account other relevant factors, and in some cases arriving at different conclusions to the ACMD on how to respond to the evidence of health and social harms of drugs in order to protect the public.