Darryl Bickler, '' We've got em! This was from the Science & Tech Report:
98. On 19 January 2006, following his statement on the classification of cannabis, the then Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced that he was initiating a review of the ABC classification system:
"The more that I have considered these matters, the more concerned I have become about the limitations of our current system. […] I will in the next few weeks publish a consultation paper with suggestions for a review of the drug classification system, on the basis of which I will make proposals in due course."[197]
The decision to review the classification system was supported by the ACMD and others. Sir Michael Rawlins told us in oral evidence: "I think it right that the Home Secretary is relooking at it".[198] Martin Barnes, Chief Executive of DrugScope and member of the ACMD, also told us: "I think the fact that the Home Secretary has announced a review is very welcome" and argued that the review should be as wide ranging as possible: "obviously the wider, the more clean slate it starts the better".[199] Mr Barnes further noted that this provided "an opportunity […] to address those issues of over the counter medicines but also the substances that are not currently classified that can be bought on Camden High Street or on the Internet".[200]
99. Professor Blakemore, Chief Executive of the MRC, indicated that he supported the decision to undertake a review, suggesting that "the driver for the review was quite clearly the time, effort, deliberation and conflicting advice that impinged on the decision not to re-classify cannabis, and the realisation that the arbitrary (and I would defend that word) boundary between B and C was not easily defensible". Professor Blakemore asked: "If it took so much effort to consider one particular drug and whether it should be placed on one side or other of a boundary, does it not imply that the entire mechanism for classifying requires a new look?".[201]
100. We too welcomed the announcement by the then Home Secretary that he would be reviewing the entire classification system. However, we became concerned that the promised "few weeks" between the announcement and the publication of the consultation turned into several months. Furthermore, following the ministerial changes at the Home Office, Vernon Coaker told us: "with respect to the consultation document which is in draft form in the department, the view is that we will need to wait until such time as we decide how to proceed with respect to the review of the classification system and also, similarly, wait for the report of this Committee - which we want to take into account in determining the best way forward".[202] We urge the new Home Secretary to honour his predecessor's promise to conduct the review—our findings suggest that it is much needed. Although we are, of course, pleased that the Home Office is placing such store by our recommendations, the long delay in publishing the consultation paper on the review of the classification system has been unfortunate and should be rectified immediately.
OK, so this paper was suppressed, it is I believe a completed paper, because Nutt was still hopeful of realising it's message when he was sacked. Anyway, now they wlll have to release it. It's the dawning of a new era, they cannot survive this release of truth.''