Despite the downgrade, Junior Home Office Minister Caroline Flint said it was not a move towards legalization, but rather an "honest and credible" strategy to fight the drug problem.

British police can no longer arrest people for using marijuana. However, authorities retain the right to arrest marijuana users in certain situations, such as smoking the drug outside schools.

Flint said the downgrade would enable police to focus on harder drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine, that cause more harm and crime.

"This Labour Government is absolutely right to focus on the most dangerous drugs, to intervene most vigorously in the most damaged communities and to seek to break the link between addiction and the crime that feeds it. And to reduce harm that drugs cause by addressing the chaotic lifestyles of those users who are harming themselves and harming others," said Flint.

The Tory party rejected the strategy, saying it would encourage young people to use harder drugs.

The measure passed by a 316 to 160 vote, and takes effect in January.

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