Zilos

Political leaders will today be warned that reclassifying cannabis could lead to the "shameful" discriminatory treatment of black people in the mental health system.

Lord Adebowale, chief executive of the social care charity Turning Point, will warn that as a consequence of the renewed debate, African or Caribbean people with a mental health problem may be diagnosed with cannabis-induced psychosis on the basis of very little evidence.

Ministers have asked the advisory committee on the misuse of drugs to review the reclassification of cannabis as a less-dangerous class C drug in light of "emerging evidence" of a link with a deterioration of mental health. The change last year made cannabis possession in many cases a non-arrestable offence.

The Tory leader, Michael Howard, has said that a Conservative government would reverse the downgrading - a position urged by several tabloid newspapers.

Lord Adebowale, a member of the advisory committee, will today express dismay that the two main parties may be pandering to media bias. He will say he is surprised by the government's move and is unconvinced that there is sufficient fresh scientific evidence to warrant it.

His comments will come in an address in a personal capacity to an international drugs conference in London, which is being supported by the Guardian. He is later expected to repeat his message in the House of Lords during a debate on the second reading of the drugs bill.

While not denying that cannabis use may compound mental health problems, Lord Adebowale will argue that any review must be led by fact, rather than prejudice.

"In particular, the current media portrayal raises fears around the impact on those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. It is shameful that stereotypes still influence the diagnosis and treatment that black people receive, leading to lack of access to appropriate assessment, treatment and care.

"The growing stereotype of 'cannabis psychosis' ... could exacerbate this state of affairs." Studies show that black people are far more likely than average to be diagnosed with conditions such as schizophrenia and treated compulsorily with strong medication.

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