Brussels, 26/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - Cannabis came under the spotlight on International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking as the EU Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) publishes its biggest scientific monograph to date: “A cannabis reader: global issues and local experiences - Perspectives on cannabis controversies, treatment and regulation in Europe”. With almost 50 000 tonnes of cannabis produced every year and 13 million Europeans having consumed it in the last month, “cannabis is Europe's most consumed drug [and] it can also be a great divider, sparking frequent debates among policymakers, scientists, researchers, law enforcers, drug professionals and citizens”, the Observatory's director Wolfgang Götz says. Its physical and psychological effects are still not entirely clear and the strength of cannabis can vary widely, leading European governments to deal with the issue in very different ways. In a similar way to the Netherlands and Italy, which are now taking a firmer line on the matter, the UK, which had previously declassified cannabis from class B to class C in 2004, is contemplating reviewing its status. Portugal decriminalised the consumption of drugs in 2000, and Luxembourg has moved towards fines in place of imprisonment since 2001 in cases of consumption and possession of cannabis. “The monograph underlines the fact that cannabis is not just a static, unchanging plant, but a dynamic product that is subject to gradual evolution in potency, prevalence and cultivation. […] The EMCDDA and the member states have responded with initiatives designed to improve the monitoring throughout Europe of this intensive consumption in order to improve knowledge and response planning” EMCDDA President Marcel Reimen said, pointing out that in the absence of viable data, prevention remains the best option. (A.D./transl.fl)