Sharing a platform : Nick Clegg and Sir Richard Branson yesterday . Nick Clegg ignited a huge controversy last night by claiming that all drug users should be treated as ‘ victims ’ . The Liberal Democrat leader said they should not be given criminal records for possessing illegal substances – even if they they are caught with ‘ harder ’ drugs such as heroin or crack cocaine . Meanwhile , Sir Richard Branson made the astonishing claim that smoking powerful skunk cannabis does not cause ‘ any harm ’ – despite evidence that a quarter of new cases of psychosis are linked to it . Announcing his party ’ s new drugs policy yesterday , Mr Clegg said : ‘ We shouldn ’ t be treating the criminal “ Mr Bigs ” the same as the users . The latter are the victims of the former. ’ But his comments were dismissed by the head of the Chatham House think tank Robin Niblett , who said : ‘ Are all users victims or is there a large proportion of people who enjoy drugs and take them recreationally ? It is a question of demand , rather than people who need to be treated for an addiction. ’ Other experts have also questioned whether it is right to label all drug users as victims . Stuart Waiton , senior lecturer in sociology at Abertay University , said : ‘ The problem we have today is that society finds it difficult to hold people to account for their actions . ‘ The idea of moral responsibility is very weak because we assume that everyone ’ s a victim . People don ’ t need medical support – unless their bodies are falling to bits – they need to take responsibility for their own actions. ’ The Lib Dems ’ new policy would end prosecutions for people caught with small amounts of drugs for ‘ personal use ’ . It would cover all drugs . Mr Clegg said the policy would be included in the Lib Dem manifesto . It is widely seen as a pitch to win back young voters disillusioned by the party ’ s betrayal over university tuition fees . The Liberal Democrat leader said drug users should not be given criminal records for possessing illegal substances – even if they they are caught with ‘ harder ’ drugs such as heroin or crack cocaine . Mr Clegg ( bottom left ) is facing opposition to his plan from David Cameron ( pictured at Prime Minister 's Questions this afternoon ) , who claims decriminalising drugs would increase their use . With neither Labour nor the Tories backing decriminalisation , it is unlikely to become government policy even if the Lib Dems remain in power after the election . Yesterday 's announcement follows a controversial ‘ research ’ project ordered by Lib Dem Home Office ministers , which used taxpayers ’ money to study drugs policy around the world . Jeremy Browne and Norman Baker jetted off to examine how other countries tackle drugs . They travelled to ten countries , including the US , Portugal and Sweden , at a cost of almost £40,000 . The Lib Dems seized on parts of the report suggesting decriminalisation in countries like Portugal cut the health damage caused by drugs . But critics said they ignored evidence that the number of children using drugs had risen . Mr Clegg received a public endorsement yesterday from Sir Richard , who suggested that smoking skunk is safe . The Virgin tycoon shared a platform with the Lib Dem leader to promote the party ’ s pledge . He said : ‘ Of people taking hash [ cannabis ] , something like 99 per cent do not have a problem ... Take people taking skunk . ‘ It ’ s slightly worse than alcohol . But there are a lot of people doing it for recreational purposes and they enjoy doing it and it ’ s not doing them any harm. ’ A study last month by Kings College London found that 24 per cent of new cases of psychosis are linked to the use of skunk . The report concluded that smoking skunk trebles the risk of someone having a psychotic episode . Last night , Mr Clegg also insisted that the so-called ‘ war on drugs ’ was ‘ not working ’ , although he was later forced to concede that official figures show drug use has been falling in Britain for years . Downing Street rejected Mr Clegg ’ s analysis and said it was not supported by David Cameron . Sir Richard Branson ( pictured at an event in Knightsbridge with Martin Sheen , left , and Princess Beatrice and Holly Branson , right ) made the claim that smoking powerful skunk cannabis does not cause ‘ any harm ’ Andy Cook , chief executive of charity Twenty Twenty , which works with disadvantaged young people , said : ‘ Cannabis is ruining the life opportunities of those we work with , so the idea that society would be better off if this stuff was decriminalised is crazy . ‘ Making it more easily available and more culturally acceptable will mean that more of our young people would take it . The result will be that more of our young people would fail to make the most of their potential. ’ ■CANNABIS could be available on the NHS under Liberal Democrat plans . Under the proposals , doctors would be able to prescribe the drug for medicinal reasons .
Nick Clegg said users should not be given criminal records for possession . He said decriminalisation would apply to 'harder ' drugs such as heroin . Deputy PM 's announcement publicly endorsed by Virgin tycoon Branson . Experts condemned move , saying it will push quarter into addiction . Neither Labour nor the Tories are backing Clegg 's decriminalisation plan .