WELL, WELL...

Cannabis reclassified again!
A new U-turn performed by the UK government...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7387173.stm

DOPE ON DEMAND

Marijuana vending machines in US

Eleven US states allow medical marijuana on doctors' orders

Vending machines distributing the drug marijuana are to begin operating in the US state of California.

The machines can only be used by people who have been prescribed the drug for health reasons. Patients will have to provide a prescription, and be fingerprinted and photographed before being allowed to use the facilities. Eleven US states allow the medicinal use of marijuana, primarily for pain relief, but it remains controversial.
Vince Mehdizadeh, owner of the Herbal Nutrition Centre in Los Angeles, where one of the two first machines is based, said it would allow patients to buy extra supplies whenever needed.

Once the users have been photographed, fingerprinted and have shown their prescription, they will be issued with a card which can be used in the machines, he told KWTX News 10 in the US. "They'll be greeted by a security guard right there. They'll slide the card in and they'll fingerprint in to verify that it's them," he was quoted by KWTX News 10 as saying. "A camera takes a picture of them, verifying that they're actually at the machine. And they get the medicine and they move on."

The operators think that vending machines issuing prescription drugs could become a common sight in the US. Proponents say marijuana is a valuable tool for relieving pain and stimulating appetite in the sick.

However, it remains banned by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act and the US federal government does not currently recognise any legitimate medical use.


LINK TO VIDEO NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7210000/newsid_7214900/7214964.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&asb=1&news=1&bbcws=1

IN NEED OF REVISION?

Drug classification in the UK

In the UK, illegal drugs are classified into three main categories. They can be Class A, B or C, with A attracting the most serious punishments and fines.

Class A

Drugs such as heroin, methadone, cocaine, crack and Ecstasy, LSD and amphetamines (speed) if prepared for injection fall into Class A.
Conviction for possession, in a Crown Court, can lead to a maximum seven year prison sentence and a fine.
The maximum penalty for trafficking is life imprisonment plus a fine.

Class B

Class B drugs include amphetamines (speed), and barbiturates.
The maximum penalty for possession of a Class B drug, if the case reaches Crown Court, is five years, plus a fine.
For trafficking, the sentence can be up to 14 years, plus a fine.

Class C

Class C, the lowest class of drugs, includes mild amphetamines (such as slimming tablets) and Anabolic Steroids.
Benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium are also categorised as Class C drugs.
Maximum sentences are two years for possession and five years for trafficking.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), it is an offence:
to unlawfully possess a controlled drug
to possess a controlled drug with intent to supply it
to unlawfully supply (sell/give/share) a controlled drug
to allow premises you occupy or manage to be used for the smoking or use of drugs

For more details on this and more recent legislation, check http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs-laws/