Licensees could find it more difficult to keep drugs off their premises if Home Secretary David Blunkett listens to calls to re-classify ecstasy.
The trade is worried that the government could decide to downgrade ecstasy from a class A to a class B drug after two British psychologists claimed it may not be as dangerous in the long-term as was previously thought.
University of Liverpool scientists Dr John Cole and Harry Sumnall, working with an American psychologist, criticised animal and human studies which say the drug causes long-term brain damage and mental problems.
This latest research has led to some groups calling for it to be downgraded, but if the drug was reclassified licensees fear it would send out signals to customers that taking the drug is acceptable, even though it would still be illegal.
Licensees can be prosecuted if customers are found to be using or dealing drugs on their premises.
In July, Mr Blunkett announced that cannabis would be downgraded from a class B to a class C drug causing uproar in the trade.
Licensees of pubs in Brixton, south London, were frustrated that customers were smoking joints on their premises because they thought they had been given the green light to do whatever they wanted by the government.
This latest news about ecstasy has led the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) to ask the government to clarify its position on drugs to settle the widespread confusion.
The BII's chief executive John McNamara said: "The messages about drugs coming out of the government are getting more and more confusing and this can only cause more problems for licensees. Ecstasy brings with it its own problems and we have all unfortunately seen the results of this.
"The time has come for the government to clarify its stance on drugs and in the meantime we continue to recommend that licensees undergo good training and adopt a zero tolerance policy."
Meanwhile, shadow Home Office minister Nick Hawkins has announced he will bring in a bill next session to recognise a separate offence for drug-driving, because he believes this is potentially a huge problem that is being ignored.
The new law will require the police to identify when a driver is under the influence of drugs, in the same way they do for alcohol, and it could affect the drink-drive figures.
Related articles:
Met police act to clarify cannabis laws (8 August 2002)
Lambeth Police launches cannabis awareness campaign (31 July 2002)
Home Office refuses to issue guidance on drugs (18 July 2002)
Trade attacks plans to re-classify cannabis (11 July 2002)
Cannabis law change has trade worried (25 March 2002)