The government has denied that ministers are considering upgrading the classification of cannabis from Class B to Class A.
After the Sunday Times had claimed over the weekend that Home Secretary Suella Braverman was looking at upgrading cannabis to the highest UK drug classification, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson has said there are “no plans” to do so, reports The Manc.
It comes after Ms Braverman reportedly became “alarmed” at evidence that linked the drug to mental and physical health issues.
The government’s priority instead is said to be to “crack down on illegal drugs and the crime they drive”.
Despite reports that Braverman would be in support of the move, the Number 10 spokesperson said: “We’ve launched a drug strategy backed by record investment to deliver a whole-system approach to tackling supply and demand.”
Reports that the government was considering drug classification adjustments comes after a group of police and crime commissioners called for cannabis to be reclassified to a Class A drug at the Conservative Party conference last week.
Braverman was said to be considering upgrading cannabis over concerns it had become a “gateway” drug for more harmful substances, according to the Sunday Times.
Image: Unsplash
The paper also quoted a source close to Braverman saying that she was strongly opposed to calls to decriminalise cannabis, as she believed this would send a “cultural” and “political” signal that using the drug was “acceptable behaviour”.
Any move to upgrade cannabis would have surely been met with fierce resistance from cannabis legalisation campaigners nationwide – who argue that the UK’s long-standing approach to illegal drugs has failed and have already dismissed the idea as “crazy” and “dangerous”.
Campaigners want that ministers to shift towards decriminalisation and a regulated market.
If cannabis was to be upgraded to Class A, this would put it in the same category as heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy, and would mean tougher penalties would be enforced for possession.
It would also mean the potential for life sentences for suppliers and producers.
Reclassifying cannabis from Class B to Class A would raise the maximum penalty for possession from five to seven years in prison, and from 14 years to a life sentence for supply and production.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
The Hoot -
12th October 2022 
