POLICE in Wiltshire are warning cannabis users that they could still be arrested when the drug is reclassified.

In a controversial move, the Government is downgrading the drug from Class B status to Class C.

As of next Thursday, cannabis will be ranked alongside substances such as anabolic steroids.

The move means that most users found to be in possession of a small amount of the drug will not be arrested.

Instead, the drug will be confiscated, and an informal warning given.

But Wiltshire police spokesman Graham Chivers stressed that the move did not mean cannabis was being legalised.

Anyone smoking a joint in public will still face arrest, as will repeat offenders.

He added: "We will also be able to make an arrest if cannabis smoking is causing a local policing problem.

"This would apply if a group of people were using a particular spot to gather to smoke it.

"We will also be able to arrest anyone possessing the drug near premises used by young people."

The law regarding dealers remains unchanged they face arrest and a maximum prison term of 14 years. Yesterday, a £1m advertising campaign was launched to highlight the changes.

But the Government has been accused of sending out mixed messages on drugs, and Opposition leader Michael Howard has pledged that a future Conservative government would reverse the changes.