A BOLTON MP who has tirelessly campaigned for the legalisation of cannabis has welcomed a major shift in drugs policy which was expected to be officially announced today.

Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east, claimed downgrading cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug was good news for young people who would no longer incur a criminal record if stopped by the police.

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, was expected to unveil the plans to put cannabis in the same group as steroids and anti-depressants later today.

Possession of small amounts would no longer be an arrestable offence and police would be limited to handing out penalty tickets to users.

But there was still confusion last night over when the changes would come into force.

Dr Iddon said: "It's a pragmatic announcement, but I'm slightly worried about other plans to double sentences for dealers to 10 years.

"It does not make sense - people won't get a criminal record for buying the drug, but they still have to buy it from criminals.

"I would still prefer cannabis to be completely legalised to allow the police to concentrate on heroin and crack cocaine which are becoming a big problem in Bolton."

Mr Blunkett was also expected to announce that police will retain the power to arrest cannabis users in certain "aggravated" cases, such as when the drug is smoked outside schools.

Such a move would require legislation which would take up to a year to become law.

Today's package was also expected to place a new emphasis on drug treatment and reducing the harm drug users cause themselves, but would rule out separate proposals to downgrade Ecstasy from Class A to Class B.