Cannabis as bad as heroin, warns UN drugs watchdog

The Scotsman ^ | 27 June 2006 | GERRI PEEV

[Fractal Trader]

THE drugs watchdog of the United Nations has rebuked the UK government's policy change on cannabis, saying it sent a confusing message to young people.

UN experts also warned that a major increase in the potency of cannabis means it now poses health risks similar to those of heroin.

The decision to reclassify cannabis as a Class C drug - made by the Home Secretary in 2004 - was implicitly criticised by Antonio Maria Costa, the executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, who warned of the growth in its use.

Cannabis had become more potent in the past few decades and governments that maintained inadequate policies got the "drug problem they deserve", Mr Costa said in the 2006 World Drug Report.

"Policy reversals leave young people confused as to just how dangerous cannabis is," he added. "

The cannabis pandemic, like other challenges to public health, requires consensus, a consistent commitment across the political spectrum and by society at large."

He warned governments against playing party politics with the classification of cannabis as its harmful effects were "no longer that different" to the damage caused by cocaine and heroin.

[Fractal Trader]

Frankly, I haven't smoked pot in ages, but I think that it is far less harmful than alcohol, especially when you look at the traffic fatalities.

This just sounds like scare tactics to me.

[Mikey_1962]

I smoke pot like a chimney in High School and had no long term problems except for memory loss and some other...things...which I can't quite remember...

[ncountylee]

Selling coke to the overpaid UN staff has to be a real money machine.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

If the UN says it's bad, then it must be good.

Roll up a fat one and pass it around!

[thoughtomator]

Hell, pot isn't even as dangerous as nicotine, and anyone who knows anything about it knows that. One more stake in the credibility of the UN.

[mysterio]

Cannabis as bad as heroin

BS.

[Always Right]

Frankly, I haven't smoked pot in ages, but I think that it is far less harmful than alcohol, especially when you look at the traffic fatalities.

The problem is they are making pot to be much more addictive and much more potent that it use to be.

[Gone GF]

Addictive??? You have some evidence?

[Gingersnap]

Good Lord! Even heroin isn't as bad as heroin.

These constant scare tactics on every single aspect of life have done their job on me. I now plan to drink whiskey while eating a stick of butter and getting a tan. I won't be wearing a helmet or using a seat belt while I do this.

Take that, UN nannies!

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

um yeah i know what you mean man . . . stuff.

[thoughtomator]

This thread wouldn't be complete without at least one canard!

[JusticeForAll76]

"I smoke pot like a chimney in High School "

So did I and my memory is still perfect. In fact it is so good that I can't even remember the last I forgot something.

[blu]

The day anyone takes anything the UN says seriously is a day the person DID hallucinogenics! Especially when it comes to drugs. Sounds like someone just needed to have a few words for a special day.

[gdani]

The problem is they are making pot to be much more addictive and much more potent that it use to be

The only people who believe that are the ones who couldn't get good quality pot in high school or college.

Yes - the good stuff is now more available. But it was also available back "then" if you knew where to look.

[Stone Mountain]

The problem is they are making pot to be much more addictive and much more potent that it use to be.

Pot is not more addictive than it was before. There aren't any new chemicals in marijuana that make it more addictive than it was in the past. It is stronger than it was before. That actually makes it a little safer, as people don't need to smoke as much material (all smoking material is carcinogenic) to get the same effect. Not that I think any of that matters - if someone wants to smoke marijuana and is aware of the risks to themselves and others, I think they should be allowed to, even if it is more addictive and stronger than it used to be.

[Always Right]

This thread wouldn't be complete without at least one canard!

Sorry, but could you point out what is not true. It is more potent and it is addictive. Just because it is not as addictive as some drugs like nicotine or cocaine, does not mean it is not addictive.

[Dominic Harr]

It is more potent and it is addictive.

If you mean addictive like food and sex are addictive, i.e. "psychologically addictive", then sure. But so is anything fun.

But more potent? No. The good stuff was always around.

[Sooth2222]

"Yes - the good stuff is now more available."

And much CHEAPER, too!

(Or so I've heard.)

Who can say that after billions and billions of dollars of spending there has been no progress in the "War on Drugs"?

[Beckwith]

In August 2007 I will have smoked pot for 50 years.

Raised two daughters as a single parent. One's a lawyer and the other is an MBA.

Designed and built some of the biggest federal, military and commercial databases in the world.

Taught a six prestigious universities. Am published.

I have no medical or physical problems.

[Sir Gawain]

What a joke. These idiots must think we're stupid.