Why is Cannabis still illegal?

[anonymous-user]

Apologies to anyone who this thread has upset. It's obviously a stressful topic to those who have had family and friends affected.

My view is that the 'war on drugs' has just furthered the problem it tried to remove, and criminalised many good people.

Now the petition to legalise cannabis has passed 100k, like many I'm hoping that the government will finally listen to us and assess whether the last 40 odd years has actually achieved anything positive, and have the spine to make the correct decision.

The burning conservative case for legalising cannabis
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/...

A year after marijuana legalisation in Colorado, 'everything's fine' confirm police
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/a...

The economic case for legalising cannabis
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/11446882/Th...

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 4th August 07:30

[Zoon]

The reason it is still illegal is that it is far too easy to grow your own, without giving the government a slice of tax. Yes I know you can make your own beer/wine, but it is far harder to make something decent that you will actually want to drink.

[smileymikey]

Because the Government is st scared of the Daily Mail and its ability to mobilise hordes of indignant retired narrow minded pensioners (core voters)

[HRL]

Been arguing the same for years.

Legalise it, tax it, increase penalties for all other illegal drugs. Hopefully we will follow suit with the U.S. but it's a long time coming.

[smileymikey]

That and if you take the low rent small time arrests for possession of drugs, out of the figures. The crime arrest/conviction rates would look truly appalling.

[Bradgate]

smileymikey said:

Because the Government is st scared of the Daily Mail and its ability to mobilise hordes of indignant retired narrow minded pensioners (core voters)

Paul Dacre is one of the most powerful people in Britain.

[anonymous-user]

too many scare mongers, i've smoked a bit, not got addicted to heavier drugs and work. maybe 1 in a 1000 goes nuts, that is what people focus on.

It is a farce some police forces have allowed home grow for own consumption.

[Aphex]

The Spruce goose said:

too many scare mongers, i've smoked a bit, not got addicted to heavier drugs and work. maybe 1 in a 1000 goes nuts, that is what people focus on.

It is a farce some police forces have allowed home grow for own consumption.

I was always told growing up 'its a gateway drug' but I have never felt the need to try anything else.

Eventually it'll be legal and there'll be no stigma attached but it'll be a long time yet

[Eclassy]

Never smoked it but cant understand why smoking a natural plantvis a crime. Makes no sense. I guess keeping it illegal keeps thousands of people in jobs.

1. legalizeIt

[John145]

Having met several people long term users, I can understand why it's illegal. Psychology is very difficult to objectify, subjective assessment is much easier.

[andymadmak]

John145 said:

Having met several people long term users, I can understand why it's illegal. Psychology is very difficult to objectify, subjective assessment is much easier.

This, Long term use has devastating effects on more people than you might think. It being a natural plant is no reason to assume its safe. Hemlock is also natural!

We should be grateful that alcohol has been around for millennia! If it had been invented as something new today there is no way it would be legalised.

[Gecko1978]

I have always fallen on the side of keep it illegal. My logic being it alters your state of mind (even short term) and if we found wine today it would also be illegal. However I find myself increasingly drawn to decriminalisation so that we can focus on more pressing issues. I suspect crime related to funding a cannabis habit is similar to that of funding a drink habbit i.e. both relativly cheap etc so not such a huge issue).

The tax thing is something I have not thought of though I would say if you grow your own now discreatly I suspect its not a problem and I doubt huge swaths of the population would stop going to pubs on a friday etc. Also as you can't smoke in public places it sort of limits the prospect of cafe's etc springing up.

Finally as an ex ciggaret smoker, I always wanted it to become so expensive so I would be forced to stop (I like smoking but it is bad for you). I suspect cannabis smoking has some but not all of the same long term respiritory issues but I am sure others know better.

[Esseesse]

JS748 said:

they've been policing it for 90 years in this country, has the use gone down? They can't stop it.

JS748 said:

With recent news, it seems the police are not too interested in pursuing users and small scale growers.

Does not compute.

The law is not enforced, therefore Cannabis is de facto legalised. IIRC the sentence for possession can be as much as 2 years, ever heard of anyone getting any more than a slap on the wrist? They could stop it and use would go down if they started locking up people and handing out criminal records.

ETA: I've just read the maximum sentence for possession is 5 years and an unlimited fine.

[anonymous-user]

Esseesse said:

IIRC the sentence for possession can be as much as 2 years, ever heard of anyone getting any more than a slap on the wrist? They could stop it and use would go down if they started locking up people and handing out criminal records.

ETA: I've just read the maximum sentence for possession is 5 years and an unlimited fine.

Is it not better to help users, if you think they have a problem. If the law does more harm to the user, than the drug, then how does that help? What do you think locking them up will achieve?

[jogon]

Gecko1978 said:

I have always fallen on the side of keep it illegal. My logic being it alters your state of mind (even short term) and if we found wine today it would also be illegal. However I find myself increasingly drawn to decriminalisation so that we can focus on more pressing issues. I suspect crime related to funding a cannabis habit is similar to that of funding a drink habbit i.e. both relativly cheap etc so not such a huge issue).

The tax thing is something I have not thought of though I would say if you grow your own now discreatly I suspect its not a problem and I doubt huge swaths of the population would stop going to pubs on a friday etc. Also as you can't smoke in public places it sort of limits the prospect of cafe's etc springing up.

Finally as an ex ciggaret smoker, I always wanted it to become so expensive so I would be forced to stop (I like smoking but it is bad for you). I suspect cannabis smoking has some but not all of the same long term respiritory issues but I am sure others know better.

It ain't as cheap as you think and not anything like it used to be ten years ago at uni when I smoked it. Back then it was £20 a 1/8 or ounce for £140 of decent skunk now they charge by the gram and it is £10-15g and your lucky to get an oz for less than £250.

In Colorado you see it going for $100-200 oz and the quality and choice of strains would give most stoners a semi.

[Esseesse]

JS748 said:

Is it not better to help users, if you think they have a problem. If the law does more harm to the user, than the drug, then how does that help? What do you think locking them up will achieve?

Sentencing that acts as a deterrent is out of vogue at the moment, but it helps by making people consider the consequences before they act. Such a law would not do more harm than the drug IMO, quite the opposite.

ETA: What am I saying, it is the law!!! I meant upholding the law and handing out the maximum punishment or close to it would not do more harm than the drug IMO.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Twenty years ago I'd be totally in the legalise it camp, used to enjoy a good smoke from time to time. However it did lead me to have a few episodes which you might argue could be unrelated to the dope but if nothing else it only helped to heighten my anxiety and paranoia at the time. Spent several months dealing with panic attacks and I'm not sure that once you've experienced that sort of thing that you're ever quite the same again. I can now identify the onset of a panic attack early on and do something about it, luckily I don't have them often if at all. Gave it up a long time ago and not sure I'd want to smoke it now as looking after two young kids is hard enough without an altered consciousness (sleep deprivation aside). So purely based on my experiences I'd say the long term issues to the mental health of users is real and should therefore be considered carefully before making it more readily available.

I would classify it as a gateway drug also, not saying I got offered heroin or crack but at that time cannabis was just a part of the drugs culture. Obviously ecstasy was the thing back then and of course whoever I was buying my weed of would have other stuff available. Consequently tried ecstasy, LSD, speed and cocaine at various times although was never the type to be out "partying" ever single weekend but stuff like that was available if I wanted it. I suppose if it were legal that element would be removed, you'd just go to the shop to buy some weed and there wouldn't be anything else available to you.

[anonymous-user]

Esseesse said:

JS748 said:

Is it not better to help users, if you think they have a problem. If the law does more harm to the user, than the drug, then how does that help? What do you think locking them up will achieve?

Sentencing that acts as a deterrent is out of vogue at the moment, but it helps by making people consider the consequences before they act. Such a law would not do more harm than the drug IMO, quite the opposite.

There are people in the United States serving a life sentence for cannabis possession, did it reduce users there?

[Esseesse]

JS748 said:

Esseesse said:

JS748 said:

Is it not better to help users, if you think they have a problem. If the law does more harm to the user, than the drug, then how does that help? What do you think locking them up will achieve?

Sentencing that acts as a deterrent is out of vogue at the moment, but it helps by making people consider the consequences before they act. Such a law would not do more harm than the drug IMO, quite the opposite.

There are people in the United States serving a life sentence for cannabis possession, did it reduce users there?

Is that the likely sentence?

[jogon]

C0ffin D0dger said:

Twenty years ago I'd be totally in the legalise it camp, used to enjoy a good smoke from time to time. However it did lead me to have a few episodes which you might argue could be unrelated to the dope but if nothing else it only helped to heighten my anxiety and paranoia at the time. Spent several months dealing with panic attacks and I'm not sure that once you've experienced that sort of thing that you're ever quite the same again. I can now identify the onset of a panic attack early on and do something about it, luckily I don't have them often if at all. Gave it up a long time ago and not sure I'd want to smoke it now as looking after two young kids is hard enough without an altered consciousness (sleep deprivation aside). So purely based on my experiences I'd say the long term issues to the mental health of users is real and should therefore be considered carefully before making it more readily available.

I would classify it as a gateway drug also, not saying I got offered heroin or crack but at that time cannabis was just a part of the drugs culture. Obviously ecstasy was the thing back then and of course whoever I was buying my weed of would have other stuff available. Consequently tried ecstasy, LSD, speed and cocaine at various times although was never the type to be out "partying" ever single weekend but stuff like that was available if I wanted it. I suppose if it were legal that element would be removed, you'd just go to the shop to buy some weed and there wouldn't be anything else available to you.

Ever been to a hazardous drinkers meeting? I gave up booze recently, 8 weeks on Monday, and have been and the stories told of anxiety, panic attacks and subsequent self medicating with further alcohol which only exacerbates the problem is quite a common theme. Should we ban booze too?