Legalise cannabis?

[Captain...]

"There's increasing evidence that cannabis use is linked to a number of health risks. It damages the ability to concentrate, decreases motivation and more than occasional use in teenagers can affect psychological development. Users can become anxious, suspicious and even paranoid. Heavy use increases the risk of serious psychiatric illness.

Users of skunk, a stronger and increasingly more available form of cannabis, are seven times more likely to develop a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, than people not using cannabis or using the more traditional forms. Cannabis also interferes with coordination, causing problems with balance, walking and driving.

There are other side effects of the drug, but they vary considerably and are less predictable, partly because cannabis has more than 400 active ingredients. They may include effects on the heart, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and damage to fertility. People who smoke cannabis are also exposed to the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke.

People may become dependent on cannabis and find it difficult to stop using it, experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they do stop such as cravings, agitation, mood changes, sleep problems, appetite disturbance and other symptoms."

Seems like a decent enough reason to make it illegal.

Alcohol: The long term effects of alcohol range from possible health benefits for low levels of alcohol (ethanol) consumption to severe detrimental effects in cases of chronic alcohol abuse. There is a strong correlation between 'high levels' of alcohol consumption and an increased risk of developing alcoholism,cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from chronic alcohol abuse.^[2][3] Long-term use of alcohol in excessive quantities is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.^[4] The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol, as is the developing brain of the unborn, possibly resulting in the fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS).^[5]

Neither sound great when extrapolated to worse case scenarios, cannabis is no worse than alcohol, but crucially is much less addictive so the likelihood of long term problems is much smaller.

[foz.foz]

"There's increasing evidence that cannabis use is linked to a number of health risks. It damages the ability to concentrate, decreases motivation and more than occasional use in teenagers can affect psychological development. Users can become anxious, suspicious and even paranoid. Heavy use increases the risk of serious psychiatric illness.

Users of skunk, a stronger and increasingly more available form of cannabis, are seven times more likely to develop a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, than people not using cannabis or using the more traditional forms. Cannabis also interferes with coordination, causing problems with balance, walking and driving.

There are other side effects of the drug, but they vary considerably and are less predictable, partly because cannabis has more than 400 active ingredients. They may include effects on the heart, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and damage to fertility. People who smoke cannabis are also exposed to the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke.

People may become dependent on cannabis and find it difficult to stop using it, experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they do stop such as cravings, agitation, mood changes, sleep problems, appetite disturbance and other symptoms."

Seems like a decent enough reason to make it illegal.

You got some links to back up what your quoting here?? Think I may have seen this in the Daily Mail??

Edited 31 August 2012 by foz.foz

[ADK]

Sounds like alcohol

Alcohol: The long term effects of alcohol range from possible health benefits for low levels of alcohol (ethanol) consumption to severe detrimental effects in cases of chronic alcohol abuse. There is a strong correlation between 'high levels' of alcohol consumption and an increased risk of developing alcoholism,cardiovascular disease, malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cancer. Damage to the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system can occur from chronic alcohol abuse.^[2][3] Long-term use of alcohol in excessive quantities is capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.^[4] The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol, as is the developing brain of the unborn, possibly resulting in the fetal alcohol syndrome(FAS).^[5]

Neither sound great when extrapolated to worse case scenarios, cannabis is no worse than alcohol, but crucially is much less addictive so the likelihood of long term problems is much smaller.

Alcohol is indeed a dangerous drug which is why efforts are being made to cut down on its consumption.

You got some links to back up what your quoting here?? Think I may have seen this in the Daily Mail??

I took that from "BBC Health".

[Christoph]

Doesn't matter if it's going to be legal or not legal, if people want to smoke weed, they'll smoke weed.

[foz.foz]

@ADK... Would be nice if you could post a link to source. Any one can cut copy and paste.

Also, most of the comments about weed are assuming that it is just smoked,. There are other ways of taking this drug which I've not seen anyone mention on this thread ie "space cakes, cookies or what ever you want to call them. Cannabis when eaten is not gonna give you lung cancer.

There are studies which have been around for a few years which cannabis has been found to cure Cancer. Here's one video, but Google Cannabis and cancer as there are a lot of links out there and I wouldn't want to influence your choice of link or video on youtube

Also this one...

Theres also this link which as far as I can see and work out, the uk government allows cannabis to be legally grown and used for certain "medical" uses. http://medicalmariju...sourceID=000883

The bottom line I am trying to get across is that most people don't give a fcuk about Cannabis if its for medicinal uses (MS or similar) or to line the government coffers, but when its Joe public who like to wind down with a spliff/joint... every one has an opinion that its bad for you.

Just putting in my view to a debate...

Foz

Edited 31 August 2012 by foz.foz

[ADK]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/addictions/cannabis.shtml

It covers the whole topic, i was just selecting the part that details the dangers.

[Steven]

What is the basis for tobacco and alcohol being legal?

On the basis of harm, a remarkably good question.

[foz.foz]

ADK..... Pretty much standard play it safe text from good old Aunty.

Like most of the things in life, whats good for one is bad for another. Some people can drink a load of beer and act a twat causing trouble and being a pest on society, other people can be sensible and know when to call it a night regarding the amount they drink and then go to bed safely, with out hurting anyone. Just as some people can have a higher tolerance to cannabis than others. Some can have a joint and it relaxes them, others have a joint just to be able to function and walk down the road to the shops. Until all, and I mean ALL drugs are legalized and regulated, Then we (as a civilized society) are always going to have a drugs problem. Hypothetically speaking, just because the drugs become legalized, it does not mean anyone can go and make a purchase of what they want. That bit needs to be regulated somehow. It does mean that the Black market has had its "spine" removed and that world governments would have the upper hand in controlling the drugs market. Not sure if this would be a good thing or not though as world governments half control the fuel prices at the minute and look what is happening there.

"Cannabis is a gate way drug to others"..... not sure I agree with that. Larger was the first drug I took years ago (for pleasure) and that led me to tobacco which in turn lead to the odd joint as I was growing up. A lot of people that I know did the same. Some of them went on to try other "harder" drugs others just went back to Alcohol. Some are dependent on alcohol some are not. I don't see half as many debates on alcohol as I do on Cannabis. Why is that??

http://www.economist...cause_most_harm

The above link will take you to The Economist. Follow the link and you will see a graph which show you measures of harm to the user and to wider society. ALCOHOL is number 1.... Cannabis is at number 9.

Now tell me, why is it we can be trusted to go and have a drink when we want and abuse it, but we are not grow up enough to have a joint to socialize or some other form of Cannabis to function??

There are loads of reasons we could carry on this debate but I'm off bed now....

Laters....

[Steven]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/sep/01/cannabis-black-market-iq-howard-marks

But there are no age limits in a black market. Neither is there any other form of control. Prohibition is not control, and should not be equated as such. It is the abrogation of control leading to the unregulated peddling of adulterated substances outside the reach of the law. Apart from not beginning to achieve its aims, prohibition makes drugs artificially expensive and spawns an avalanche of acquisitive criminal behaviour.

[foz.foz]

A well written piece by Howard Marks. Nice find Steven.

A lot of agreement within the comments section below. This one made me smile as its so ****ing true..

Glammerocity

1 September 2012 12:38PM

"What makes me really giggle are parents sitting in pubs pontificating about drugs. So your kids got some silly notion that taking a substance to alter your state of consciousness for purely recreational purpoises can be fun? Where on earth did they get that idea?

Also hilarious are the parents who crow about the "stepping stone effect" but see no issue with giving kids a liittle wine with dinner. As far as I'm aware no old wino sucking on a bottle of meths in the gutter ever started out on meths. More likley shandy or a little wine with dinner"

Edited 1 September 2012 by foz.foz

[FoxyPV]

What is the basis for tobacco and alcohol being legal?

Cultural. No more no less.

[Rincewind]

It was a wonderful idea suggested by Walter Raleigh.

http://youtu.be/i7YBaiJMnik

[Hawkers]

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-union-the-business-behind-getting-high/

[Bob Weasel Fox]

"There's increasing evidence that cannabis use is linked to a number of health risks. It damages the ability to concentrate, decreases motivation and more than occasional use in teenagers can affect psychological development. Users can become anxious, suspicious and even paranoid. Heavy use increases the risk of serious psychiatric illness.

Users of skunk, a stronger and increasingly more available form of cannabis, are seven times more likely to develop a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, than people not using cannabis or using the more traditional forms. Cannabis also interferes with coordination, causing problems with balance, walking and driving.

There are other side effects of the drug, but they vary considerably and are less predictable, partly because cannabis has more than 400 active ingredients. They may include effects on the heart, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and damage to fertility. People who smoke cannabis are also exposed to the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke.

People may become dependent on cannabis and find it difficult to stop using it, experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they do stop such as cravings, agitation, mood changes, sleep problems, appetite disturbance and other symptoms."

Seems like a decent enough reason to make it illegal.

This

[Steven]

This

But there are no age limits in a black market. Neither is there any other form of control. Prohibition is not control, and should not be equated as such. It is the abrogation of control leading to the unregulated peddling of adulterated substances outside the reach of the law. Apart from not beginning to achieve its aims, prohibition makes drugs artificially expensive and spawns an avalanche of acquisitive criminal behaviour.

This

[Steven]

Cannabis trade 'explosion' causing surge in gun violence, police warn

Merseyside police chief calls for tougher punishments as trade in drug found to be driving up gang-related violence

Another reason to legalise it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/sep/11/cannabis-trade-rise-gun-violence

But there are no age limits in a black market. Neither is there any other form of control. Prohibition is not control, and should not be equated as such. It is the abrogation of control leading to the unregulated peddling of adulterated substances outside the reach of the law. Apart from not beginning to achieve its aims, prohibition makes drugs artificially expensive and spawns an avalanche of acquisitive criminal behaviour.

[Daggers]

Cannabis trade 'explosion' causing surge in gun violence, police warn

That can not be correct - the ban on guns means that no one has one and we're all safe. ADK said so.

[Webbo]

Cannabis trade 'explosion' causing surge in gun violence, police warn

Merseyside police chief calls for tougher punishments as trade in drug found to be driving up gang-related violence

Another reason to legalise it. http://www.guardian....se-gun-violence

It shows that people who take drugs are condoning and enabling gun crime, murder and extortion.Perhaps that's a reason not to take drugs.

[Steven]

It shows that people who take drugs are condoning and enabling gun crime, murder and extortion.Perhaps that's a reason not to take drugs.

Perhaps that is reason to legalise it. The lessons from Prohibition in the US in 20's and 30's in the US are counter to the statement above. Unless you think everyone should have stopped drinking back then.

The "War on Drugs" has failed. Sadly for all of us it seems people from earlier generations had more courage.

[Webbo]

Perhaps that is reason to legalise it. The lessons from Prohibition in the US in 20's and 30's in the US are counter to the statement above. Unless you think everyone should have stopped drinking back then.

The "War on Drugs" has failed. Sadly for all of us it seems people from earlier generations had more courage.

Crime didn't end when prohibition was lifted. If people obeyed the law there wouldn't be any drugs trade.

[ADK]

All it proves is that middle class idiots who buy drugs are funding violent crime.

[Steven]

8 reasons to end the "War on Drugs"

http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/8-reasons-to-end-prohibition-of-all.html

[Steven]

Crime didn't end when prohibition was lifted. If people obeyed the law there wouldn't be any drugs trade.

..... but took away the incentive to commit crimes that would have been committed under Prohibition.

All it proves is that middle class idiots who buy drugs are funding violent crime.

...... and by the same logic the people who drink are draining the resources of the NHS on a Friday and Saturday night and encouraging violent crime in many towns and city centres.

[welck12]

All it proves is that middle class idiots who buy drugs are funding violent crime.

That proves why you should grow your own

[Carlos9]

Just thought I'd add my bit.

I smoke weed regular... I don't feel the need to go out and stab/shoot people or anything.. .Infact, its the complete oposite.. I chill out and feel more creative (passing on fifa gets immense) haha... It helps me wind down after a hard days work!

Alcohol on the other hand... If i go on a night out 9/10 times if its a mad one I wake up wondering what happened the night before! I don't know what I am doing it. Which would tell me alchol has a much more dangerous affect on me than smoking a bit of mary jane!

The reason weed is ileagal is because of tax reasons. Growing should be ilegal.. Smoking should be legal! End of!