LONDON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The British government, concerned over studies linking cannabis with mental health problems, may decide to reclassify it as a more serious crime.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the BBC that a decision on the reclassification will be taken in a few days.
Cannabis was downgraded from class B to class C drug two years ago. The maximum penalty for dealing in a class B drug is 14 years in jail, while class C dealing carries five years.
Clarke ordered a review last year saying the move had confused the public.
Ruth Runciman, who led the inquiry that suggested downgrading cannabis, said any reclassification would confuse the public even more.
But John Henry, a clinical toxicologist at London's St. Mary's Hospital, told BBC that there is a "strong link" between cannabis and schizophrenia.
"It's probably about four times commoner in people who smoke cannabis regularly," he said.
