Cannabis: Time to rethink?

Tony Blair's hint that the downgrading of cannabis may be reversed means drugs is firmly back on the political agenda at the start of the new term. In his new book, Griffith Edwards, founder of the National Addiction Centre, offers some radical solutions.

Cannabis, the drug of choice for students and regarded by millions of otherwise law-abiding people as a harmless high, is the subject of renewed debate about its effect.

It was downgraded last year to Class C, the same as steroids. This made most cases of cannabis possession a non-arrestable offence.

But in March, the Home Office ordered a review after fresh research suggested the drug could be more harmful than previously thought.

And on the final day of the election campaign, the prime minister hinted at a U-turn. "We have asked for advice on it," he said. "What we did was perfectly sensible but I think it sent out the wrong message."

A study by New Zealand scientists suggested smoking cannabis virtually doubled the risk of developing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Mr Edwards, an expert in alcohol and drug addiction and founder of the National Addiction Centre, says he may have wrongly assessed cannabis himself.

"Thirty or 40 years ago I was writing that cannabis was a drug without harm and dependency but I've had to eat my hat now," he says. "That doesn't mean it's a growing evil but, rather like cigarettes, we need controls in place and a serious message.

"The evidence says there's an increasing risk of schizophrenia and mental ill-health, and there are implications for traffic safety," he says, noting cases where drivers have been using the drug. "That needs to be considered by people making a decision about its classification."

Hello andyandval, and All, - In the 60-70's I occasionally twisted one. I remember instead of getting drunk and into a schitzoid argument / fight, I was usually more concerned with getting along, smiles and hugs, listening to music, college engineerring classes, and FOOD! hA! Well, today I am smoke free, and have developed a bit of anxiety, and irritability. Our energiees could be put to better use than locking up kids (with potential), - over a joint, cigarrette, or a beer. Big buck$ in those prisons! Hey, take care, gotta get back to my fried potatoes. Peace!

Well now...
I guess I have to step in here.. I have smoked a whole lot of grass (weed, pot, canabis, mary-jane, etc)when I was a youngster, when I say a whole lot I do mean a whole lot. I smoked at least a quarter ounce every couple days so why am I still so normal and why is it that just one day I up and quit. I just quit, no problems with it at all, just stopped cold turkey and never has a single urge or issue with quitting. Here is the catch, I tried to quit smokign cigarettes 4 times now and have yet to be successful. I become a raging luni when I dont get my cigarette :) Let's move on..

Today i still try and understand WHY alcohol is legal when marijuana is illegal - I mean alcohol is far more dangerous, damaging and deadly in terms of both health and public safety than marijuana. You smoke a J and sit at home and have a relaxing break and a snack, 99% of the people I know that DO still smoke don't drive stoned and the ones that do drive 20 MPH like grandma and would not break a single law. They seem to be more concious of traffic and laws when stoned then when not - I do believe everyone knows thsi to be fact. On the other side of the coin again we have alcohol, the #1 killer on the road and the #1 killer of the liver. Alcohol makes some people just plain crazy, they fight, argue, get ugly and have much less control over their reflexes and them selves in general. Alcohol is legal. Are they still scared of prohibition days? I would venture to guess if they pulled alcohol and replaced the same tax on marijuana and made that legal we would see less death on the road, much less domestic violence, petty crime and a whold bunch (MILLIONS) of very happy people. There would be the ones opposed to the banning of alcohol, however, if you look at the argument they make for marijuana, how can you justify leaving alcohol on the shelf?

Am I alone here? Nope...

My wife has Glaucoma, she is ONLY 34 years old, she smokes on occasion but has a perscription for Marinol ($800.00 for 60 pills) the legal marijuana in a pill that does not work and is brutally over priced. It's cheaper for her to obtain the natural herb from the street and has more pressure reducing effects than the pill does. Let's see here - $25.00 vs. $800.00...hummmm...... Who's the gimp and whos lining their pockets?

Again I have yet to see ANY and I mean ANY side effects of marijuana other than the smoke in the lung issue that can come close to comparing to alcohol. I know when people are stoned the last thing they feel is violent, however, get drunk and let's fight! Any questions?

FACT: In the state of louisiana, the cost per year of detaining a juvenile in a detention facility is $100,000 per child per year.

The problem is being addressed, however, I do not think kids (under 18) should experiment with ANY substance whstsoever. The courts in this state spend a fortune on kinds that are busted with marijuana, it's NOT a gateway drug but to a developing mind and in the childs view, they know everything and usually with kids - one things does lead to another. It's sad that marijuana was outlawed because of MORAL issues i.e. smoke a joint and you will sleep with the neibhors wife. That is how it was seen in the days back when they outlawed it. It's like that old law on the books here, it's illegal to tie an alligator to a fire hydrant, that law should have been stricken from the books a long time ago like many others. The fact is, the government gets tons of money to deal with the drug problem. Marijuana is part of that problem in their eyes and the money can be better spent fighting real drugs, the nasty stuff that kills people and makes people into criminals - stealing and such to support their habbit..

Well here is my two cents .....the money the government spends on prosectuting marijuana possession cases, weather it be adult or children, could be spent on health care for the American citizens. Or even education.

Also what about all of the sick people who would die from starvation. There are several illnesses that pot is used so the patient can eat. Cancer, aids, and anexoria are just a few. Many of these people choose to eat it instead of smoking it. I am a person who believes in natural substances, which alchol is not, nor is all of the medications the government approves.

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