Why is Cannabis still illegal?
Discussion
I'm sorry to hear that Rich. That must be really heart-wrenching. Not having children of my own (yet! there's one coming!) I'm already feeling very attached to the little one, and I can't really relate to your experience. I hope never to have to deal with a similar situation, despite being full of thoughts for their future already, both positive and negative.
2 questions if I may: Has that soured you on the whole legalisation/decriminalisation process? Also, purely out of interest, was it skunk?
This next bit - I've tried hard to re-write it a few times, as it never comes across without sounding preachy and telling you how to think, not having lived through what you have. There is an organisation called anyone's child which, maybe misguidedly, is basing a campaign of decriminalisation based on parents' experiences. I'm sorry if this last appears presumptious or dickish, but that is absolutely not my intention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_LFcYQ6VcM
2 questions if I may: Has that soured you on the whole legalisation/decriminalisation process? Also, purely out of interest, was it skunk?
This next bit - I've tried hard to re-write it a few times, as it never comes across without sounding preachy and telling you how to think, not having lived through what you have. There is an organisation called anyone's child which, maybe misguidedly, is basing a campaign of decriminalisation based on parents' experiences. I'm sorry if this last appears presumptious or dickish, but that is absolutely not my intention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_LFcYQ6VcM
Edited by Tonsko on Thursday 30th July 12:48
John145 said:
Maybe I could've phrased myself better. TBH I don't find a lot of my time researching or concerning myself with the issue, I just know that I'd prefer it to stay illegal and I believe (as I don't know and will not be able to find the answer) less people will come to harm this way.
Mum?? Is that you?
I don't know if it was skunk because I don't know what that is and son would probably not tell me if I asked. As for my views, I guess if it were legalised there'd be more control however I get narked when people say it's harmless because it isn't. Whether it's 1:10, 1:100 (what the doctors say) or 1:1000 people affected in this way it's still one too many and demonstrates it does cause damage to the brain.
Eric Mc said:
smileymikey said:
We would perhaps get a calmer more objective view of drugs by our politicians.......If they weren't of there tits on coke half the time
Hmmm - have we been partaking of some substance?
RichB said:
I don't know if it was skunk because I don't know what that is and son would probably not tell me if I asked. As for my views, I guess if it were legalised there'd be more control however I get narked when people say it's harmless because it isn't. Whether it's 1:10, 1:100 (what the doctors say) or 1:1000 people affected in this way it's still one too many and demonstrates it does cause damage to the brain.
Thank you.RichB said:
I don't know if it was skunk because I don't know what that is and son would probably not tell me if I asked. As for my views, I guess if it were legalised there'd be more control however I get narked when people say it's harmless because it isn't. Whether it's 1:10, 1:100 (what the doctors say) or 1:1000 people affected in this way it's still one too many and demonstrates it does cause damage to the brain.
Do you think we should ban tobacco then?Kings College London said:
A new study by researchers at King’s College London suggests that smoking tobacco is associated with an increased risk of developing psychosis.
People who suffer from psychosis are three times more likely to smoke cigarettes than healthy controls, according to the meta-analysis published today in Lancet Psychiatry. Although the association between smoking cigarettes and psychosis - particularly schizophrenia - has been acknowledged before, scant attention has been directed towards the possibility that cigarettes themselves may increase the risk of psychosis.
People who suffer from psychosis are three times more likely to smoke cigarettes than healthy controls, according to the meta-analysis published today in Lancet Psychiatry. Although the association between smoking cigarettes and psychosis - particularly schizophrenia - has been acknowledged before, scant attention has been directed towards the possibility that cigarettes themselves may increase the risk of psychosis.
RichB said:
Unfortunately my son must be one of the 1000 you mention. He is now 33 but got got into cannabis at school when he was about 16. In his early 20s he was 'sectioned' and in hospital for 6 weeks, probably the lowest point of my life seeing your own son shuffling round like a zombie in a mental ward. A year later he was back in again for another spell. He has "Cannabis induced psychosis". Posts absolute unintelligible stuff on FB, talks to himself, cannot hold a job for more than 6 weeks; gets paid thinks he's rich beyond his wildest dreams, blows it on dope, doesn't turn up for work until Tuesday and gets sacked etc. etc. Over the last 15 years it's been a nightmare. Apart from that he's a lovely chap and would have been very bright working in web design and network software. As it is I expect he'll be on benefits all his life, never achieve anything, probably never have a steady girlfriend or have a family etc. I don't think he enjoys life much but maintains dope is harmless and like many on here says it should be legalised! Bless him... Forgive me for having a jaundiced view.
Joking aside, that's a real shame and I think more than qualifies you to feel negatively towards cannabis and it's legalisation.I had a pal at Uni who went down a similar route though with him, I rather suspect that if it hadn't been cannabis it would have been something else. He seemed to be one of those people almost determined to defeat himself somehow. Nice bloke and wouldn't harm a fly but I saw firsthand the grief he put his parents through and wouldn't wish it on anyone.
My thoughts are I suppose rather liberal in that I tend to err away from saving people from themselves through prohibition. I appreciate that this means some people will get lost in alcohol, drugs, whatever, but I'd suggest that any alternative (even 100% prohibition of everything) has been proven to be unsuccessful so it makes more sense to legalise and control to make things safer.
I don't think there is an easy answer and there certainly isn't one in your family's situation and I would never presume to tell you how you ought to feel about the subject as a result. Hope he manages to find happiness with his life.
RichB said:
Forgive me for having a jaundiced view.
you are right it f
ks peoples head up, I've smoked on and off 15 years, maybe 20-30 joints a year. if i smoked everyday it would be bad, same as alcohol use messes you up if you over consumption. I've seen the effects as well on over consume as well, but doesn't put me off. proper weed licenses issued by doctors and similar system to US, would bring it to proper terms.Edited by The Spruce goose on Thursday 30th July 13:08
smileymikey said:
Eric Mc said:
smileymikey said:
We would perhaps get a calmer more objective view of drugs by our politicians.......If they weren't of there tits on coke half the time
Hmmm - have we been partaking of some substance?The Spruce goose said:
RichB said:
Forgive me for having a jaundiced view.
you are right it fks peoples head up, I've smoked on and off 15 years, maybe 20-30 joints a year. if i smoked everyday it would be bad, same as alcohol use messes you up if you over consumption. I've seen the effects as well on over consume as well, but doesn't put me off. proper weed licenses issued by doctors and similar system to US, would bring it to proper terms.Edited by The Spruce goose on Thursday 30th July 13:08
Still the case in Colorado, as medical weed is taxed lower.
Oakey said:
RichB said:
Sorry, I didn't mention ban so it seems an odd question.
Sorry, I thought you were against legalisation of cannabis based on the potential mental health problems it may cause.
RichB said:
...As for my views, I guess if it were legalised there'd be more control however I get narked when people say it's harmless <etc.>
RichB said:
Oakey said:
RichB said:
Sorry, I didn't mention ban so it seems an odd question.
Sorry, I thought you were against legalisation of cannabis based on the potential mental health problems it may cause.RichB said:
...As for my views, I guess if it were legalised there'd be more control however I get narked when people say it's harmless <etc.>
iambeowulf said:
The problem is that the people who usually evangalise about cannabis tend to be a but OTT about its benefits. Then there's the fact that canabanoids when extracted are supposed to cure/help all sorts of ailments.
Cannabis resin is supposed to be the wonder drug everyone should take because we've got the same canabanoids inside us. (Even though there's no evidence of our early ancestors ingesting it)
Smoking cannabis has no health benefits (why would burning something and inhaling it be good) and the people who smoke it don't do it because of it health benefits. They just want to get stoned!
There does seem to be a fairly strong consensus of the positive benefits of weed for minor pain relief, relief from stress and anxiety and as a useful muscle relaxant, the argument being so strong and supported that it led to the revolution of cannabis laws in several US states. There is also rising medical evidence of the benefits of cannabis oil in the treatment of cancer.Cannabis resin is supposed to be the wonder drug everyone should take because we've got the same canabanoids inside us. (Even though there's no evidence of our early ancestors ingesting it)
Smoking cannabis has no health benefits (why would burning something and inhaling it be good) and the people who smoke it don't do it because of it health benefits. They just want to get stoned!
But you're right to suggest it's not why the majority of people smoke it, eat it, drink it or even inject it (in the case of cannabis oil).
Our early ancestors did all sorts of wild drugs, popular culture is riddled with drug references going back centuries and to pre history, from Men in red suits with flying reindeer to all sort of pre christian existential belief systems drugs have played a huge part of human evolution and the development of our minds. There are rituals and festivals around smoking cannabis which pre date modern civilisation in India, still practiced today. That's not to say taking them is a particularly good idea for any single individual.
FredClogs said:
When I was a young man (mid/late 90s) E cost £15 plus, I don't know what it costs now, but I suspect the price has risen and fallen based on demand and fashion and who and where the market is being run from.
I have no idea of cost now, but have it on very good authority that between 2004-2007 you could buy 20 for £20 or alternatively 200 for £100.ikarl said:
FredClogs said:
When I was a young man (mid/late 90s) E cost £15 plus, I don't know what it costs now, but I suspect the price has risen and fallen based on demand and fashion and who and where the market is being run from.
I have no idea of cost now, but have it on very good authority that between 2004-2007 you could buy 20 for £20 or alternatively 200 for £100.Disastrous said:
He seemed to be one of those people almost determined to defeat himself somehow. Nice bloke and wouldn't harm a fly but I saw firsthand the grief he put his parents through and wouldn't wish it on anyone.
.
Interesting description..
A friend of mine was sectioned recently following drug addiction and mentalness and he was diagnosed with "self destructive personality disorder" or similar. Effectively saying that the mental illness caused the drug addiction and not the other way around.
Still unsure about it really.
I was also unsure whether it was a good thing to tell a drug addict that it is not his fault and he cant help it.
However he seems to be getting better so maybe my gut instinct of "what a load of psychiatric b
ks" was wide of the markGassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff