---<br /> The move to reassess the dangers of cannabis will not affect the decision <br /> on whether to give the go-ahead to a prescription form of the drug, the <br /> Government has said.<br /> <br /> The medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency is currently <br /> deciding whether to give a UK licence to Sativex, a cannabis-based oral <br /> spray, which its makers claim eased pain in cancer sufferers in recent trials.<br /> <br /> Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has asked his independent advisors <br /> about introducing a higher classification for cannabis in the wake of <br /> emerging evidence about stronger forms of the drug and possible links to <br /> mental illness.<br /> <br /> David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, downgraded the drug from Class B <br /> to Class C - placing it alongside steroids and some prescription <br /> anti-depressants - in January last year.<br /> <br /> But a Home Office spokesman said today: "The review will not have any <br /> bearing on consideration of the application for a cannabis-based medicine. <br /> We are committed to reviewing that as quickly as possible."<br /> <br /> The reassurance came as a study suggested large numbers of doctors are <br /> unofficially advising their patients to try cannabis.<br /> <br /> According to the study, published this week in the International Journal of <br /> Clinical Practice, one in six people who use cannabis for medical reasons <br /> say it was suggested to them by their doctors.<br /> <br /> A future reclassification to Class B could see stiffer penalties for people <br /> claiming to use it for medicinal reasons.<br /> <br /> But mental health campaigners have welcomed Mr Clarke's move.<br /> <br /> Paul Corry, a spokesman for Rethink Severe Mental Illness, said: "At last <br /> the Government has woken up to the risk they have been running of a drug <br /> induced mental health crisis."<br /> <br /> "There is mounting evidence that cannabis dramatically increases the risk <br /> of developing schizophrenia in people where there is a family history of <br /> the illness, and significantly increases the risk even where there is no <br /> family history," he said.<br /> <br /> Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, said <br /> the group was "relieved" at Mr Clarke's action.<br /> <br /> She said: "Sane has campaigned for over 18 years to highlight the damaging <br /> effects of cannabis, particularly on young people at risk of mental illness.<br /> <br /> "Far from being a relatively harmless recreational drug, for vulnerable <br /> teenagers the innocent spliff, or chilling out, could trigger a journey of <br /> life-long disintegration."<br />Aurora Indica |  B52 |  Big Bud |  California Orange Bud |  Citral |  Four Way |  Haze |  Hindu Kush |  Indoor Mix |  Jock Horror |  K2 |  Maroc x Afghan |  Northern Light x Big Bud |  Northern Light x Haze |  Northern Light x Shiva |  Shiva |  Skunk #1 |  Skunk Red Hair |  Skunk Special |  Papaya |  White Rhino |  Haze 19 x Skunk |  Afghan |  Master Kush |  Northern Light |  Super Skunk |  Top 44 |  Durban Poison |  Early Bud |  Early Girl |  Early Misty |  Early Special |  Hawaii x Maui Waui |  Hawaii x Skunk #1 |  Hollands Hope |  KC 33 x Master Kush |  Mixed Sativa |  New Purple Power |  Swazi |  Swiss Miss |  Northern Bright |  Snow White (fem.) |  Supergirl |  Venus |  Wonder Woman |  Kaya |  PPP (fem.) |  Medusa |  Blue Mystic |  Chrystal |  Ice |  Misty |  PPP |  White Widow |  Nirvana Special |  White Rhino |  Snow White |  AK-48 |  Bubblelicious |  Silver Pearl |  Haze |  Jock Horror |  Northern Light x Haze |  White Rhino |  Haze 19 x Skunk |