In a recent statement released by Government's drugs Tsar, it has been subjected that possession of cannabis should not be considered as illegal. Moreover, those of the youngsters having the drug should not be termed as criminals.

Addressing the MPs yesterday on the Commons home affairs committee, Professor Les Iversen suggested that registering a criminal record against young adults for having possession of cannabis can have an adverse effect on the lives of these people later on.

Professor Iversen, chairman of the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), emphasized that instead of making hard judgment against these people, police should become more cautious and in case of youngsters, who have been caught for the first time, they should be given a civil penalty. However, the case should not stay true, in case they have been caught in dealing of the drug.

He said, "What we would like to see is the discretion to divert from criminal penalties to civil penalties. Civil penalties could include obligatory education in drug education schemes, or losing your driving license for sometime".

He added that only in few complicated and serious cases, youngsters should be given a criminal record. Others should be given civil penalties; else their future will be ruined.