Poll: Cannabis
Total Members Polled: 475
Discussion
In my town it's ridiculously easy to get hold of. There's kids aged 13 selling it in the local parks. No amount of arrests and prosecutions will ever curtail it's supply and availability - there simply aren't the resources within the police, courts and prisons.
I understand the arguments for decriminalisation and legalisation, and wouldn't object if it could be properly enforced/regulated. I've seen more kids than I care to remember descend in to criminality because of their use of cannabis, and they are frequently being controlled or manipulated by older kids and young adults. A lot of child sexual exploitation is also linked to cannabis.
Given that a number of states in the US have legalised it, I would expect that before too long it will be decriminalised/legalised here. I hope that if that happens the legislation and resources to deal with dealers (or unlicenced dealers in the case of legalisation) are significantly reinforced.
I understand the arguments for decriminalisation and legalisation, and wouldn't object if it could be properly enforced/regulated. I've seen more kids than I care to remember descend in to criminality because of their use of cannabis, and they are frequently being controlled or manipulated by older kids and young adults. A lot of child sexual exploitation is also linked to cannabis.
Given that a number of states in the US have legalised it, I would expect that before too long it will be decriminalised/legalised here. I hope that if that happens the legislation and resources to deal with dealers (or unlicenced dealers in the case of legalisation) are significantly reinforced.
I used to live in Australia where it was legal to grow your own, I’d go to my mates house for dinner and their parents who had great jobs would get the cannabis out after dinner. It was just normal like having a coffee.
I’m still surprised at the negative views on cannabis in the uk. Most of these drugs should be legalised and then crime would reduce and the government could tax it plus it could be properly regulated and users could get a good safe known product to enjoy.
I’m still surprised at the negative views on cannabis in the uk. Most of these drugs should be legalised and then crime would reduce and the government could tax it plus it could be properly regulated and users could get a good safe known product to enjoy.
I'll get in early with my view that I'd legalise all drugs, allowing them to be sold under a controlled manner to those that want to fill themselves with them.
The impact it would have on reducing crime, prostitution etc has already been proven. It would help those that want to get off it, stop committing crimes in their search for money to feed the habit and the endless cycle of drug use.
With regard to a bit of dope- I firmly believe its the tip of an iceberg to lead to other stuff/harder drug use. Yes there might be billy who needs it for a medical condition, but he's a one off v the million's of Kyles, Harrison's, Jordan's and Mohammed's who just want to get off their tits.
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
The impact it would have on reducing crime, prostitution etc has already been proven. It would help those that want to get off it, stop committing crimes in their search for money to feed the habit and the endless cycle of drug use.
With regard to a bit of dope- I firmly believe its the tip of an iceberg to lead to other stuff/harder drug use. Yes there might be billy who needs it for a medical condition, but he's a one off v the million's of Kyles, Harrison's, Jordan's and Mohammed's who just want to get off their tits.
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
Havent used it, but went to That London last week to go to a gig (Thom Yorke, since you asked), which was at the Roundhouse in Camden.
It was a nice evening so we decided to walk the 4-5 miles from Waterloo.
As we entered the Camden area, we walked past a group of culturally diverse men - one of which asked "hash?".
The last time I was asked a similar question it was in a charming B&B in Malvern, but that was "hash-brown?", and as this was about 7.30pm, rather than 7.30am, I can only assume this man was a DRUG DEALER, rather than offering me an all-day breakfast.
I hurried my lady companion along and mentally drafted an email to my local MP during the gig.
It was a nice evening so we decided to walk the 4-5 miles from Waterloo.
As we entered the Camden area, we walked past a group of culturally diverse men - one of which asked "hash?".
The last time I was asked a similar question it was in a charming B&B in Malvern, but that was "hash-brown?", and as this was about 7.30pm, rather than 7.30am, I can only assume this man was a DRUG DEALER, rather than offering me an all-day breakfast.
I hurried my lady companion along and mentally drafted an email to my local MP during the gig.
Judging by the smell of it these days when I’m out on my bike around town - it’s seriously changed since my college days when it was a bit of ‘sticky’ ‘if you were lucky or most likely ‘soap bar’.
Also judging by how often I get a waft - there is no such thing as a ‘weed drought’ these days either!
Also judging by how often I get a waft - there is no such thing as a ‘weed drought’ these days either!
austinsmirk said:
I'll get in early with my view that I'd legalise all drugs, allowing them to be sold under a controlled manner to those that want to fill themselves with them.
The impact it would have on reducing crime, prostitution etc has already been proven. It would help those that want to get off it, stop committing crimes in their search for money to feed the habit and the endless cycle of drug use.
Surely the people that want to buy drugs aren't going to have more money, just because drugs are legally sold now - they're still going to get the money by nefarious means, non?The impact it would have on reducing crime, prostitution etc has already been proven. It would help those that want to get off it, stop committing crimes in their search for money to feed the habit and the endless cycle of drug use.
Unless you think drugs would end up being cheaper if they were legally available?
austinsmirk said:
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
Given the arena in which you work Austin, it's not surprising that you take a rather dim view of casual functional users - what you've seen in your job will have skewed the way you see it, don't you think. I agree that a lot of casual users probably are feckless wastrels, but I don't think it's fair to suggest that it's impossible to be a useful, sensible, productive and trustworthy member of society if you have the occasional smoke.
For clarity - I'm not defending this from a personal perspective. It's been many many years since I last partook and have no interest in doing so again - it just isn't for me.
Edited by mrtwisty on Wednesday 20th June 08:55
i'm a perfectly functional member of society that holds down a full time technical senior position as well as a second part time job, never been arrested or in trouble with the fuzz, drink socially, never done class A drugs and never intend to. Never smoked tobacco and can't stand cigarettes.
I suffer badly at times with an anxiety disorder and have varying degrees of insomnia...these are issues i've had for years that began as a child.
started smoking 2 years ago, and it has been trans-formative in quelling my anxiety issues and i sleep better than i have done in 20 years.
Not everyone that smokes fits the profile of some down and out loser that will end up on the dole and injecting hard drugs.
Once you start spending time in places where it is legal, it really opens your eyes as to how backwards our attitudes are in the UK.
I suffer badly at times with an anxiety disorder and have varying degrees of insomnia...these are issues i've had for years that began as a child.
started smoking 2 years ago, and it has been trans-formative in quelling my anxiety issues and i sleep better than i have done in 20 years.
Not everyone that smokes fits the profile of some down and out loser that will end up on the dole and injecting hard drugs.
Once you start spending time in places where it is legal, it really opens your eyes as to how backwards our attitudes are in the UK.
Edited by designforlife on Wednesday 20th June 09:05
daddy cool said:
Surely the people that want to buy drugs aren't going to have more money, just because drugs are legally sold now - they're still going to get the money by nefarious means, non?
Unless you think drugs would end up being cheaper if they were legally available?
Tbh I don't think people go out on the rob for cannabis, class A's more likely.Unless you think drugs would end up being cheaper if they were legally available?
Lots of legal drugs are far cheaper in the UK than the world open market price, often 10-100x cheaper than the true value due to the prescription fee's cap.
Some druggy funding a £100 a day drug habit would have to commit a lot less crime if they got the same amount of drugs for £5.
I think even if illegal drugs cost next to nothing there would still be drug related crime just like there is with alcohol as you can get 20 units worth of alcohol at the off-licence for a few pounds yet people still go out on the rob and fight/drive when drunk.
designforlife said:
i'm a perfectly functional member of society that holds down a full time technical senior position as well as a second part time job, never been arrested or in trouble with the fuzz, drink socially, never done class A drugs and never intend to. Never smoked tobacco and can't stand cigarettes.
I suffer badly at times with an anxiety disorder and have varying degrees of insomnia...these are issues i've had for years that began as a child.
started 'smoking' 2 years ago, and it has been trans-formative in quelling my anxiety issues and i sleep better than i have done in 20 years.
Not everyone that smokes fits the profile of some down and out loser that will end up on the dole and injecting hard drugs.
Once you start spending time in places where it is legal, it really opens your eyes as to how backwards our attitudes are in the UK.
It might work for you, but for others it feeds anxiety issues and is the cause of mental instability.I suffer badly at times with an anxiety disorder and have varying degrees of insomnia...these are issues i've had for years that began as a child.
started 'smoking' 2 years ago, and it has been trans-formative in quelling my anxiety issues and i sleep better than i have done in 20 years.
Not everyone that smokes fits the profile of some down and out loser that will end up on the dole and injecting hard drugs.
Once you start spending time in places where it is legal, it really opens your eyes as to how backwards our attitudes are in the UK.
It's a psychological crutch that often masks the real cause of issues and allows the user to avoid confronting their demons. It's also a drug, just like alcohol for an alcoholic, that always makes the person concerned with running out and not having it available. Decriminalising cannabis will open these issues up for the wider population and we'll be dealing with the affects for generations to come.
I can't say there's a solution for this, but the pros and cons need weighing out properly before changing the UK's policy on drugs. In your view we're backwards, but maybe the prudent approach will pay dividends in the future.
austinsmirk said:
*stuff I agree with*
With regard to a bit of dope- I firmly believe its the tip of an iceberg to lead to other stuff/harder drug use.
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
I'm interested in why you see it differently than booze?With regard to a bit of dope- I firmly believe its the tip of an iceberg to lead to other stuff/harder drug use.
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
Is it because booze is legal and controlled and fits with our current model of society? That question refers to "tip of the iceberg" and "being a fit parent". People drink around their kids (I don't) and people drink at the weekend without heading towards harder stuff.
austinsmirk said:
I'll get in early with my view that I'd legalise all drugs, allowing them to be sold under a controlled manner to those that want to fill themselves with them.
The impact it would have on reducing crime, prostitution etc has already been proven. It would help those that want to get off it, stop committing crimes in their search for money to feed the habit and the endless cycle of drug use.
With regard to a bit of dope- I firmly believe its the tip of an iceberg to lead to other stuff/harder drug use. Yes there might be billy who needs it for a medical condition, but he's a one off v the million's of Kyles, Harrison's, Jordan's and Mohammed's who just want to get off their tits.
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
I generally agree and have thought along these lines for a long time. The best way to stem the flow is to destroy the market by offering all 'illegal' substances free of charge from government outlets on the proviso that the user is proven to be in rehab to kick the habits. No rehab, no drugs. Obviously some would disagree and seek their drugs elsewhere with no strings but who would be supplying? You're an addict and your drug, which you admit is damaging you and would like to stop, is now free, pure and legal. The instant gratification coming at the cost of a little inconvenience of a rehab course would be irresistible. The impact it would have on reducing crime, prostitution etc has already been proven. It would help those that want to get off it, stop committing crimes in their search for money to feed the habit and the endless cycle of drug use.
With regard to a bit of dope- I firmly believe its the tip of an iceberg to lead to other stuff/harder drug use. Yes there might be billy who needs it for a medical condition, but he's a one off v the million's of Kyles, Harrison's, Jordan's and Mohammed's who just want to get off their tits.
I certainly don't want anything to do with anyone who as an adult thinks smoking a bit of dope is perfectly fine and thinks they function fine on it and are a fit adult/parent. You don't and its blinding obvious to all around you, that you don't.
Think of the benefits to the general, non-drug using population. Crime and violence cut to a fraction, and no deaths from drugs cut with weedkiller etc. The savings from the crime reduction would easily pay for the substances manufactured in government labs and supplied through state controlled outlets.
Cannabis being illegal and alchohol and tobacco being legal really is a circle that needs to be squared one way or the other. Given that the latter are far more medically and socially damaging than the former, there is really only one way to do that.
Disclosure - I was a regular cannabis smoker in my late teens/early twenties (sixth form/university years), 'regular' being a kinda Friday evening/quiet weekend sort of thing. I could never function while blazing up daily or first thing in the morning like some people seem to manage. Now I indulge very rarely indeed (three times last year, once this year so far).
I don't think it's affected my attitude, productivity, drive, brain function etc. etc. I left university with a decent degree, worked a demandingly creative and time-pressured job and now work freelance at a level that I'm happy with while maintaining a house and enough friends, hobbies and cars to keep me content.
Yes, the modern stuff is a lot stronger in terms of THC content than the stuff that was common in the past ("This Ain't Your Dad's Weed Any More") but that's partly a function of its illegality (the quality and chemistry of the product is solely in the hands of the producers, who have a vested interest in giving their customers the 'strong stuff') and you don't use the modern weed in the same quantities or rate that you did with the weaker stuff. I could never be doing with the brain-melting high-strength indica strains which give you couch lock for an entire day. It would be great to be able to buy weed like alchohol - in a controlled and standardised way over the counter in a similar range of blends and 'proofs' and with guaranteed quality control.
Anecdotal Evidence Time: In my experience the idea that weed destroys your drive and turns you into a listless bum is a matter of the cart going before the horse. If you have a generally empty, unfulfilling life with few prospects and little enjoyment then weed is a great way of filling that emptiness and dulling the negatives. If there's one thing cannabis is good at doing, it's making hours spent doing absolutely nothing not only seem very fulfilling but also very quick! I've never known anyone who had their life on track just withdraw and spend all their time on their sofa watching Adventure Time because of the Devil's Lettuce. Some people are prone to addictions and almost anyone can turn to any narcotic to displace their problems for bit and then fall into a dangerous rut if things go bad in their life. That's not the substance's fault and is just the case for the Portugal-type system of combining legalisation with full support for addicts and properly treating addiction (of any sort) like the medical/psychological problem that it is rather than a moral failing of the individual.
Disclosure - I was a regular cannabis smoker in my late teens/early twenties (sixth form/university years), 'regular' being a kinda Friday evening/quiet weekend sort of thing. I could never function while blazing up daily or first thing in the morning like some people seem to manage. Now I indulge very rarely indeed (three times last year, once this year so far).
I don't think it's affected my attitude, productivity, drive, brain function etc. etc. I left university with a decent degree, worked a demandingly creative and time-pressured job and now work freelance at a level that I'm happy with while maintaining a house and enough friends, hobbies and cars to keep me content.
Yes, the modern stuff is a lot stronger in terms of THC content than the stuff that was common in the past ("This Ain't Your Dad's Weed Any More") but that's partly a function of its illegality (the quality and chemistry of the product is solely in the hands of the producers, who have a vested interest in giving their customers the 'strong stuff') and you don't use the modern weed in the same quantities or rate that you did with the weaker stuff. I could never be doing with the brain-melting high-strength indica strains which give you couch lock for an entire day. It would be great to be able to buy weed like alchohol - in a controlled and standardised way over the counter in a similar range of blends and 'proofs' and with guaranteed quality control.
Anecdotal Evidence Time: In my experience the idea that weed destroys your drive and turns you into a listless bum is a matter of the cart going before the horse. If you have a generally empty, unfulfilling life with few prospects and little enjoyment then weed is a great way of filling that emptiness and dulling the negatives. If there's one thing cannabis is good at doing, it's making hours spent doing absolutely nothing not only seem very fulfilling but also very quick! I've never known anyone who had their life on track just withdraw and spend all their time on their sofa watching Adventure Time because of the Devil's Lettuce. Some people are prone to addictions and almost anyone can turn to any narcotic to displace their problems for bit and then fall into a dangerous rut if things go bad in their life. That's not the substance's fault and is just the case for the Portugal-type system of combining legalisation with full support for addicts and properly treating addiction (of any sort) like the medical/psychological problem that it is rather than a moral failing of the individual.
I think everyone knows someone who uses it so it can't be hard to get hold of.
Genuine questions on legalisation - they say if it could be bought in off-licences etc it would be of a certain quality and be taxed etc. That's all fine and sounds good.
1. Why would it stop a kid on the street selling it when it's tax free and possibly cheaper as they don't have the overheads of shop rent and rates?
2. People aren't currently saying they won't buy it because it's of an uncertain quality. Would they pay (guestimate) 50% more that the kid is selling it for because it's of a guaranteed quality?
3. What would the drug sellers do instead if it was available in shops?
(Personally, I couldn't give a s
t whether you're smoking cannabis or cigarettes as long as I don't have to smell it, whether it's in a restaurant or when I'm walking to the shops. And as long as you're not smoking it to relax while driving.)
Genuine questions on legalisation - they say if it could be bought in off-licences etc it would be of a certain quality and be taxed etc. That's all fine and sounds good.
1. Why would it stop a kid on the street selling it when it's tax free and possibly cheaper as they don't have the overheads of shop rent and rates?
2. People aren't currently saying they won't buy it because it's of an uncertain quality. Would they pay (guestimate) 50% more that the kid is selling it for because it's of a guaranteed quality?
3. What would the drug sellers do instead if it was available in shops?
(Personally, I couldn't give a s
t whether you're smoking cannabis or cigarettes as long as I don't have to smell it, whether it's in a restaurant or when I'm walking to the shops. And as long as you're not smoking it to relax while driving.)Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff