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Comment: Right to look anew at law on cannabis
One of the first big
stories I ever covered as
a reporter concerned
cannabis back in the
early 1960s.
I was working in Notting
Hill where West Indians
who liked the drug used to
hold pot parties every
month.
They would commandeer
an empty house, play
loud music and smoke
cannabis, much to the
annoyance of neighbours
who liked neither the noise
nor the smell, both of
which were considerable.
Charges were levied for
admittance.
Somehow I managed to
get into one of these parties
and filed reports for the
local paper. They caused a
small sensation with questions
asked in Parliament.
How long ago this all is
is shown by the fact that
cannabis was then known
as Indian hemp and most
people had never heard of
it. What's more, the admission
to those parties was
only half a crown, just
twelve and a half pence in
today's currency.
I shall never forget the
sweet, sickly odour of
cannabis which pervaded
the huge houses or the
sound of the music that
could be heard 400 yards
away. Police in Notting
Hill took firm action and
eventually the parties
become too hot for organisers
to handle.
When I came to Brighton
in 1967, a charge of possessing
cannabis was still a big
news story. As a freelance
reporter, I could usually
guarantee a news item on
regional TV for someone
being fined the then standard
rate of £25.
The prevailing establishment
view, even in the
swinging sixties, was that
all drugs are bad, even
those like cannabis widely
perceived to be less harmful
than heroin or cocaine.
But in that same year,
West Sussex was at the
centre of a case which
changed the national perception
of hard penalties
against drug use.
Police raided Redlands,
the country home of
Rolling Stone Keith
Richards, arresting him for
allowing cannabis to be
smoked on his premises
and lead singer Mick
Jagger for possessing four
amphetamine tablets.
Both men were jailed
amid widespread protests,
some from unlikely quarters
such as The Times.
The then editor, William
Rees-Mogg, penned a
famous editorial headed:
Who breaks a butterfly
upon a wheel? using a
quote from Pope to make
his point.
The sentences were
quashed on appeal. Jagger
is now a knight and a member
of the cricket-loving
establishment. Rees-Mogg
is a peer. Police usually
turn a blind eye towards
the possession of many
drugs regarded as minor.
Among them is cannabis,
which has been graded at
the lowest level of class C
following a decision by the
Labour Government.
You can sometimes see
it being smoked openly in
the streets of tolerant
Sussex towns. The drug is
easy to buy and it is cheap.
The establishment view
has changed so much over
the past 40 years that
cannabis possession is
widespread with smokers
knowing there is little
chance of their being
prosecuted.
Police tend to go for the
suppliers rather than the
smokers, concentrating
their effort on dealers,
cannabis factories - such
as the one seized in
Moulsecoomb yesterday -
and cannabis cafés such as
the infamous one in
Worthing. But the pendulum
is swinging back the
other way and the Government
is recommending
that it should be a class B
drug once again.
Home Secretary Jacqui
Smith is to strengthen
penalties for having the
drug, increasing the maximum
jail sentence from
two to five years.
In doing so, she and the
Government are going
against the review of the
Advisory Council on the
Misuse of Drugs which
concluded cannabis should
remain in class C.
I am firmly in favour of
treating cannabis as a serious
drug. For too long it
has been regarded
benignly as a substance
which merely sends smokers
into a happy, almost
dreamlike state.
Its supporters say it is
less addictive than tobacco
and less likely to make
people violent than alcohol.
Both these statements
are probably true but are
not reasons in themselves
for condoning its use. I
went to plenty of parties in
the 1960s and 70s where
people in Brighton and
Hove spoke what they
believed to be beautiful
thoughts while lying
spaced out on the floor.
Usually they were prattling
mindless rubbish and
the parties were deeply
dull to anyone not smoking
the ubiquitous weed.
Millions of people have
been to parties like that,
usually regarding them
with a kindly eye. There
seemed no harm in a few
hippies dropping out and
enjoying themselves with
pot.
But what has happened
to those hippies? Some
have given up drugs. Many
have moved on to far more
dangerous drugs. A few
young hippies have
become old hippies without
ever contributing so
much as a bean to society.
The drug has addled their
minds.
The advisory committee
concludes there is a probable
but weak causal link
between psychotic illnesses
including schizophrenia
and cannabis use.
It believes cannabis
plays only a modest role in
the development of many
well known psychiatric
conditions.
But that is not the view
of many psychiatrists
working in Sussex who
have to deal with people
deeply damaged by the
drug. They have no doubt
of a strong link between
cannabis and mental illness.
Cannabis may not
always cause mental
illness but there is a strong
case for believing it worsens
the problem.
A sad example was the
suicide of 25-year-old
Hamish Donaldson after a
long fight against severe
psychiatric illness.
Hamish started with
cannabis and later took
cocaine. No wonder his
mother Julia, author of the
children's book The
Gruffalo, is backing the
reclassification of
cannabis.
She said: "Hamish had
much too much hash and it
was horribly demotivating,
apart from anything else. I
think it did affect him in
the long term."
Cannabis is also no good
for physical health in that
smokers are drawing
strong substances into
their lungs without any of
the filter tips standard on
conventional cigarettes.
But the most damning
case against cannabis is
that it is a gateway drug. I
know people will tell me
millions of people have
used it without ever trying
anything else.
I accept this may be so
but show me someone
addicted to hard drugs and
I will show you a former or
current cannabis smoker.
Hamish Donaldson is a
classic case.
Drug taking is almost
out of control among many
people, not only in
Brighton and Hove where
it might be expected, but
also in small towns and villages.
There is a serious
argument which I respect
for legalising all drugs and
lessening the crimes they
provoke. But this would
only increase their use by
making them semirespectable.
We can never return to
those innocent days almost
half a century ago when
cannabis was almost
unknown. But we should
no longer be tolerant of a
drug which causes harm in
itself and leads many
people on to drugs which
are even more dangerous.,
A crackdown on
cannabis smokers as well
as dealers may seem draconian
but without one
group you will not have the
other. It will not break a
butterfly upon a wheel but
it will stop us making a
hash of our attitude
towards cannabis
Do you agree that cannabis should be reclassified?
10:13am Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: censored, Brighton on 11:58am Wed 14 May 08
"The drug has addled their minds"
Could you provide a peer-reviewed study to back this up? The latest evidence suggests not and I'd be interested in the scientific facts that you surely have based your article on.
"The drug has addled their minds"
Could you provide a peer-reviewed study to back this up? The latest evidence suggests not and I'd be interested in the scientific facts that you surely have based your article on.
Posted by: Old George in the "ome, brighton on 12:16pm Wed 14 May 08
The only stuff we ever got to sniff in my day,was the bar maids apron.
The only stuff we ever got to sniff in my day,was the bar maids apron.
Posted by: Kickboxer, Worthing on 12:17pm Wed 14 May 08
QUOTE "But the most damning case against cannabis is that it is a gateway drug. I know people will tell me millions of people have used it without ever trying anything else.
I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."............
....I could also say show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current coffee drinker, so using the same logic as Adam Trimingham I can prove that coffee is a gateway drug to hard class A drugs.
QUOTE "But the most damning case against cannabis is that it is a gateway drug. I know people will tell me millions of people have used it without ever trying anything else.
I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."............
....I could also say show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current coffee drinker, so using the same logic as Adam Trimingham I can prove that coffee is a gateway drug to hard class A drugs.
Posted by: The Pastor on 12:23pm Wed 14 May 08
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Posted by: T.Ruth on 12:26pm Wed 14 May 08
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 12:29pm Wed 14 May 08
So what you are saying is over 40years of illegality has seen its use rise massively. It is interesting to note that in the 60's it smelled very strong and pungent so much so it was disliked by the neighbours! This sounds exactly like todays skunk not the weaker varieties apparently around back then. Also with hindsight most people would agree it's not really a party drug from what I can see most people use it to chill out and do things like listen to music after work and when the kids have gone to bed(yes most people that take it are adults not kids). Also you are a journalist, unlike me, so when you make statements about things like mental health why aren't you showing me graphs and figures proving your point? I have NEVER seen a graph showing a rise in mental health problems per head of population that directly correlates with increased cannabis use in the last 60yrs(my grandad had his first, and last, smoke in London in 1948). The statistics should be there, if what you say is true, so why aren't you showing them? I belive legalisation is the only real way to control this problem!!
So what you are saying is over 40years of illegality has seen its use rise massively. It is interesting to note that in the 60's it smelled very strong and pungent so much so it was disliked by the neighbours! This sounds exactly like todays skunk not the weaker varieties apparently around back then. Also with hindsight most people would agree it's not really a party drug from what I can see most people use it to chill out and do things like listen to music after work and when the kids have gone to bed(yes most people that take it are adults not kids). Also you are a journalist, unlike me, so when you make statements about things like mental health why aren't you showing me graphs and figures proving your point? I have NEVER seen a graph showing a rise in mental health problems per head of population that directly correlates with increased cannabis use in the last 60yrs(my grandad had his first, and last, smoke in London in 1948). The statistics should be there, if what you say is true, so why aren't you showing them? I belive legalisation is the only real way to control this problem!!
Posted by: T.Ruth on 12:31pm Wed 14 May 08
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 12:35pm Wed 14 May 08
Did T.Ruth and The Pastor cut and paste the same comment from somewhere?
Did T.Ruth and The Pastor cut and paste the same comment from somewhere?
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 1:15pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Kickboxer[/bold] wrote:
QUOTE "But the most damning case against cannabis is that it is a gateway drug. I know people will tell me millions of people have used it without ever trying anything else.
I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."............
....I could also say show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current coffee drinker, so using the same logic as Adam Trimingham I can prove that coffee is a gateway drug to hard class A drugs.[/quote] Actually the suppressed evidence seems to show that nicotine is the real gateway drug, but don't make that a claim of fact because you WIll end up in court fighting the tobacco companies Billions.
Kickboxer wrote:
QUOTE "But the most damning case against cannabis is that it is a gateway drug. I know people will tell me millions of people have used it without ever trying anything else.
I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."............
....I could also say show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current coffee drinker, so using the same logic as Adam Trimingham I can prove that coffee is a gateway drug to hard class A drugs.
Actually the suppressed evidence seems to show that nicotine is the real gateway drug, but don't make that a claim of fact because you WIll end up in court fighting the tobacco companies Billions.
Posted by: Jim, London on 1:19pm Wed 14 May 08
Show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current alcohol and/or tobacco smoker.
Also maybe Adam Trimingham should add to his vast knowledge about cannabis that in the ACMD review, article 12.11 states;
"The Council does not consider the risks of progression to Class A drugs
as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial; and considers
that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use
of alcohol and tobacco."
Show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current alcohol and/or tobacco smoker.
Also maybe Adam Trimingham should add to his vast knowledge about cannabis that in the ACMD review, article 12.11 states;
"The Council does not consider the risks of progression to Class A drugs
as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial; and considers
that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use
of alcohol and tobacco."
Posted by: Jim, london on 1:29pm Wed 14 May 08
I think the Pastor and T.Ruth have got mixed up with alcohol. Let me tell you this. Britain is not going down the pan due to cannabis, as there are only 3million regular users. Britain is going down the pan due to its 40million regular drinkers, many of whom become violent and are generally antisocial. So pull your head out of the sand and look at the real problems.
I think the Pastor and T.Ruth have got mixed up with alcohol. Let me tell you this. Britain is not going down the pan due to cannabis, as there are only 3million regular users. Britain is going down the pan due to its 40million regular drinkers, many of whom become violent and are generally antisocial. So pull your head out of the sand and look at the real problems.
Posted by: mary james, reading on 1:34pm Wed 14 May 08
too many reports on the evils of cannabis are full of mights and maybes. what is needed is serious and extensive investigation of the plant and all its aspects. unfortunately until there is some chance of financial benefit from this it will not be done. until then, most of the criticisms of cannabis are inspired guesswork at best and malevolent rumour at worst.
too many reports on the evils of cannabis are full of mights and maybes. what is needed is serious and extensive investigation of the plant and all its aspects. unfortunately until there is some chance of financial benefit from this it will not be done. until then, most of the criticisms of cannabis are inspired guesswork at best and malevolent rumour at worst.
Posted by: Neville, Midlands on 2:04pm Wed 14 May 08
The only way forward in this whole thing is de-classification, all you ever hear is how drug money funds terrorism and people trafficing etc, but at the same time anyone who is a cannabis user and takes it on themselves to grow their own small amount to stop money going to these organised criminals then faces a harsher punishment than going to "score" off your local dealer each wk. Use is not going to stop so some control seems the more logical approach? Making criminals out of peolpe who chose something different to the nightmare of a night in you local seems altogether desperate and all this after they tell us the prison system is fit to burst.If your looking for a "gate way" drug then look no further than alcohol- the only time i've ever been offered class A drugs is in the pub!!
The only way forward in this whole thing is de-classification, all you ever hear is how drug money funds terrorism and people trafficing etc, but at the same time anyone who is a cannabis user and takes it on themselves to grow their own small amount to stop money going to these organised criminals then faces a harsher punishment than going to "score" off your local dealer each wk. Use is not going to stop so some control seems the more logical approach? Making criminals out of peolpe who chose something different to the nightmare of a night in you local seems altogether desperate and all this after they tell us the prison system is fit to burst.If your looking for a "gate way" drug then look no further than alcohol- the only time i've ever been offered class A drugs is in the pub!!
Posted by: censored, Brighton on 2:27pm Wed 14 May 08
Mary, the study has been done. It was published a week or so ago.
The government ignored it and reclassified anyway.
Mary, the study has been done. It was published a week or so ago.
The government ignored it and reclassified anyway.
Posted by: Kickboxer, Worthing on 2:49pm Wed 14 May 08
I think it should be legalised as it has been PROVED it does less harm than alcohol. Unfortunately the government has a king canute type of attitude, as it is getting warmer in this country cannabis is getting easier to grow and I can't see how the government can win the war on weed, they might as well legalise it so they can use their resources to fight the hard drugs that do much more damage, I also think the argus is obsessed with cannabis use and should devote as much time and effort into reporting the FACTS about the very bad reprocussions of alcohol misuse that we the public have to put up with every day of the week (when was the last time you heard of anyone smoking a joint smashing up the town)instead of reporting half truths and down right lies about cannabis.
I think it should be legalised as it has been PROVED it does less harm than alcohol. Unfortunately the government has a king canute type of attitude, as it is getting warmer in this country cannabis is getting easier to grow and I can't see how the government can win the war on weed, they might as well legalise it so they can use their resources to fight the hard drugs that do much more damage, I also think the argus is obsessed with cannabis use and should devote as much time and effort into reporting the FACTS about the very bad reprocussions of alcohol misuse that we the public have to put up with every day of the week (when was the last time you heard of anyone smoking a joint smashing up the town)instead of reporting half truths and down right lies about cannabis.
Posted by: Me, here on 3:14pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]The Pastor[/bold] wrote:
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.[/quote] Pastor=T.Ruth=T.Roll
=Mad and totally irrelevant.
The Pastor wrote:
Yes I do, because I too have witnessed the transformation of Britain for the worse, which has undoubtedly been caused by the increasing abuse of cannabis. All too often we are told that cannabis isn't as harmful as the class A drugs, but I don't think that is a valid analogy, I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to. One has only to look to the West Indies and in particular to Jamaica to witness the damage cannabis can have on society, it reduces motivation in all who use it and the majority of users are men, hence, Jamaican women have had to become fiercely independent of men in order to survive and the only successful Jamaican business men are the ones who have totally avoided using cannabis.
Pastor=T.Ruth=T.Roll
=Mad and totally irrelevant.
Posted by: Kris, Bath on 3:25pm Wed 14 May 08
Cannabis is only a gateway drug because of its legal status. If it were legal it would cut out the dealer and thus the offers of more dangerous drugs. ie "Sorry mate, haven't got any weed today, but i've got these pills if you fancy them instead." All these badly written scaremongering articles are doing my head in...
Cannabis is only a gateway drug because of its legal status. If it were legal it would cut out the dealer and thus the offers of more dangerous drugs. ie "Sorry mate, haven't got any weed today, but i've got these pills if you fancy them instead." All these badly written scaremongering articles are doing my head in...
Posted by: Ewan, UK on 3:29pm Wed 14 May 08
"I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."
What? That's a nonsensical argument, I could say show me someone who is addicted to hard drugs and I'll show you someone who wears or used to wear shoes! Any real data?
"I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."
What? That's a nonsensical argument, I could say show me someone who is addicted to hard drugs and I'll show you someone who wears or used to wear shoes! Any real data?
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 3:36pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Kris[/bold] wrote:
Cannabis is only a gateway drug because of its legal status. If it were legal it would cut out the dealer and thus the offers of more dangerous drugs. ie "Sorry mate, haven't got any weed today, but i've got these pills if you fancy them instead." All these badly written scaremongering articles are doing my head in...[/quote] You'r not a regular reader of the Argus then or you'd be used to this standard of reporting!!
Kris wrote:
Cannabis is only a gateway drug because of its legal status. If it were legal it would cut out the dealer and thus the offers of more dangerous drugs. ie "Sorry mate, haven't got any weed today, but i've got these pills if you fancy them instead." All these badly written scaremongering articles are doing my head in...
You'r not a regular reader of the Argus then or you'd be used to this standard of reporting!!
Posted by: ken, sussex on 4:00pm Wed 14 May 08
How much booze does the "journalist" who wrote this useless opinion piece consume per week?
How much booze does the "journalist" who wrote this useless opinion piece consume per week?
Posted by: Keith Fagin, Calgary, ALberta, Canada on 4:23pm Wed 14 May 08
If cannabis is such an evil drug where consumers should be persecuted and jailed. Why is the very hard harmful drug alcohol continual ignored. Alcohol causes damage and addiction like heroin and cocaine We all know how much damage alcohol does but non of the crack down on the much less harmful drug cannabis people ever mention alcohol and damages it causes. I suspect the are alcohol consumers and enjoy their drink to much to even think of demonizing it or even bother to mention the massive harms it causes around the world every minute of every day. Hypocrites or did the hard and harmful drug alcohol addled their minds?
If cannabis is such an evil drug where consumers should be persecuted and jailed. Why is the very hard harmful drug alcohol continual ignored. Alcohol causes damage and addiction like heroin and cocaine We all know how much damage alcohol does but non of the crack down on the much less harmful drug cannabis people ever mention alcohol and damages it causes. I suspect the are alcohol consumers and enjoy their drink to much to even think of demonizing it or even bother to mention the massive harms it causes around the world every minute of every day. Hypocrites or did the hard and harmful drug alcohol addled their minds?
Posted by: John, Sheffield on 4:31pm Wed 14 May 08
Please not the old Gateway myth as some one already has quoted from the ACMD report it doesn't stop me repeating it
[boldACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
]bold[/bold]
So tobacco and alcohol are a greater gateway drug to harder drugs so are we going to prohibit those aswell.
Isn't it funny that one of the lowest use by under 18's of cannabis i sin Holland where it is freely available for adults. So again the statement that makingit legal will increase use is agian open to claims of nonsense.
The original article is full of inaccuracies and misinformation. It is time we were told the truth about drugs from experts not newspaper hacks who obvioulsy know nothing.
Please not the old Gateway myth as some one already has quoted from the ACMD report it doesn't stop me repeating it
bold
So tobacco and alcohol are a greater gateway drug to harder drugs so are we going to prohibit those aswell.
Isn't it funny that one of the lowest use by under 18's of cannabis i sin Holland where it is freely available for adults. So again the statement that makingit legal will increase use is agian open to claims of nonsense.
The original article is full of inaccuracies and misinformation. It is time we were told the truth about drugs from experts not newspaper hacks who obvioulsy know nothing.
Posted by: John, Sheffield on 4:33pm Wed 14 May 08
Please not the old Gateway myth as some one already has quoted from the ACMD report it doesn't stop me repeating it
[bold]ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
[/bold]
So tobacco and alcohol are a greater gateway drug to harder drugs so are we going to prohibit those aswell.
Isn't it funny that one of the lowest use by under 18's of cannabis i sin Holland where it is freely available for adults. So again the statement that makingit legal will increase use is agian open to claims of nonsense.
The original article is full of inaccuracies and misinformation. It is time we were told the truth about drugs from experts not newspaper hacks who obvioulsy know nothing.
Please not the old Gateway myth as some one already has quoted from the ACMD report it doesn't stop me repeating it
ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
So tobacco and alcohol are a greater gateway drug to harder drugs so are we going to prohibit those aswell.
Isn't it funny that one of the lowest use by under 18's of cannabis i sin Holland where it is freely available for adults. So again the statement that makingit legal will increase use is agian open to claims of nonsense.
The original article is full of inaccuracies and misinformation. It is time we were told the truth about drugs from experts not newspaper hacks who obvioulsy know nothing.
Posted by: dave, inverness on 5:35pm Wed 14 May 08
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 5:45pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]dave[/bold] wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly[/quote] Yes because they do bugger all nowadays its all done by computer, and in a real emergency enough adrenaline would kick in to totally over ride any Cannabis smoked, but most people who smoke do not smoke at work so I wouldn't expect my pilot to be stoned if he/she wanted to keep their job.
dave wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly
Yes because they do bugger all nowadays its all done by computer, and in a real emergency enough adrenaline would kick in to totally over ride any Cannabis smoked, but most people who smoke do not smoke at work so I wouldn't expect my pilot to be stoned if he/she wanted to keep their job.
Posted by: Confused, Lancing Pot Cafe on 5:59pm Wed 14 May 08
This is ridiculous. Of course Cannabis is a gateway drug I smoke it and I would be the first to admit it. But I mean look at it the other way round, you aren't going to start your druggie life by shooting yourself up with heroin are you! I would argue that ALCOHOL is a worse gateway drug. Before I drank I had NEVER been intoxicated, but once I'd been drunk you automatically start wondering what other intoxicants are like. All this is irrelevant anyway surely, I'm an autonomous being it's my body and I'll do what the **** I like with it. And frankly, the more people tell me to stop smoking, drinking, having sex and doing anything else remotely fun, the more I wanna do it!
This is ridiculous. Of course Cannabis is a gateway drug I smoke it and I would be the first to admit it. But I mean look at it the other way round, you aren't going to start your druggie life by shooting yourself up with heroin are you! I would argue that ALCOHOL is a worse gateway drug. Before I drank I had NEVER been intoxicated, but once I'd been drunk you automatically start wondering what other intoxicants are like. All this is irrelevant anyway surely, I'm an autonomous being it's my body and I'll do what the **** I like with it. And frankly, the more people tell me to stop smoking, drinking, having sex and doing anything else remotely fun, the more I wanna do it!
Posted by: dave, inverness on 6:10pm Wed 14 May 08
legs 11 you answerd my question,as you say ,if he or she were found smoking cannabis they would lose their jobs so cannabis must be bad for you
legs 11 you answerd my question,as you say ,if he or she were found smoking cannabis they would lose their jobs so cannabis must be bad for you
Posted by: Hogie, Scotland on 6:13pm Wed 14 May 08
"I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to."
Does that also mean if you smoke fags or drink beer you automaticaly lose your right to free speech?!!.
"I believe that cannabis abuse has become so endemic in British society that only the views of total abstainers have any credibility and are worth listening to."
Does that also mean if you smoke fags or drink beer you automaticaly lose your right to free speech?!!.
Posted by: Mikey on 6:26pm Wed 14 May 08
I agree with Kris. I think the reason people move on to other drugs once they've tried cannabis is that we are told that cannabis is very, very bad. Then, when people, usually teens, try it, they realize that it's not bad at all, and they think that the establishment has been pulling the wool over their eyes about all the other substances that really are bad, such a s heroin and cocaine. If cannibis were legalized, it wouldn't be tarred with the same brush as the harmful drugs. And, before you accuse me of being a stoned layabout, I have a good, responsible well-paying job, I own my own house, and I pay tax. I just happen to enjoy a doobie or two in the evenings.
I agree with Kris. I think the reason people move on to other drugs once they've tried cannabis is that we are told that cannabis is very, very bad. Then, when people, usually teens, try it, they realize that it's not bad at all, and they think that the establishment has been pulling the wool over their eyes about all the other substances that really are bad, such a s heroin and cocaine. If cannibis were legalized, it wouldn't be tarred with the same brush as the harmful drugs. And, before you accuse me of being a stoned layabout, I have a good, responsible well-paying job, I own my own house, and I pay tax. I just happen to enjoy a doobie or two in the evenings.
Posted by: Derek Williams, Norwich on 7:13pm Wed 14 May 08
>>
I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker.
>>
Oh for heavens sake. Show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a tobacco smoker for sure. It's just that in the tiny mind of the author, tobacco isn't a drug.
Why does the paper insist on printing this utter rubbish as fact? Show me a respected study that shows cannabis to be a gateway drug - you can't, there aren't any. Fact.
>>
I accept this may be so but show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker.
>>
Oh for heavens sake. Show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a tobacco smoker for sure. It's just that in the tiny mind of the author, tobacco isn't a drug.
Why does the paper insist on printing this utter rubbish as fact? Show me a respected study that shows cannabis to be a gateway drug - you can't, there aren't any. Fact.
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 7:31pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]dave[/bold] wrote:
legs 11 you answerd my question,as you say ,if he or she were found smoking cannabis they would lose their jobs so cannabis must be bad for you[/quote] Classy well thought out argument Dave full of research, detail and facts!
dave wrote:
legs 11 you answerd my question,as you say ,if he or she were found smoking cannabis they would lose their jobs so cannabis must be bad for you
Classy well thought out argument Dave full of research, detail and facts!
Posted by: Moanie, McMohanamoan on 8:15pm Wed 14 May 08
Its so entertaining to watch the usual ignorant misinformed twisted dailymail-esque comments appear on stories like this.
Its always the same people,the names sometimes change but the writing style and comments always give them away,and they just HATE to hear about anyone who might be doing something remotely fun.Anyone young or who they dont like the look of is ALWAYS up to no good,and is clearly a drug-addled, diseased,babies head eating,glue sniffing terrorist,benefits claiming illegal immigrant criminal.
I can just picture some of you passing the days by net-curtain twitching and moaning your presumptious uninformed moans on websites like this for our viewing pleasure.
Thank god for all things moanworthy! otherwise you'd have nothing to do.Must be such a rewarding job for you 'pillars of the community'! SO ironic that most of your moans contain digs at people who claim benefits and dont work for a living!
Its so entertaining to watch the usual ignorant misinformed twisted dailymail-esque comments appear on stories like this.
Its always the same people,the names sometimes change but the writing style and comments always give them away,and they just HATE to hear about anyone who might be doing something remotely fun.Anyone young or who they dont like the look of is ALWAYS up to no good,and is clearly a drug-addled, diseased,babies head eating,glue sniffing terrorist,benefits claiming illegal immigrant criminal.
I can just picture some of you passing the days by net-curtain twitching and moaning your presumptious uninformed moans on websites like this for our viewing pleasure.
Thank god for all things moanworthy! otherwise you'd have nothing to do.Must be such a rewarding job for you 'pillars of the community'! SO ironic that most of your moans contain digs at people who claim benefits and dont work for a living!
Posted by: David Vernon, Saltdean on 9:25pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote]We can never return to those innocent days almost half a century ago when cannabis was almost unknown.[/quote]Ahh those were the days, I remember them well, when the police had nothing to do, everyone was rich, the sun shone everyday and there were no taxes. oh yes and when teddyboys roamed the streets with cut throat razors, just after the 2nd world war, to stop hitler with his draconian laws. Come back Hitler you still have a fan club. Well done Adam Trimingham, so little reseach for big bucks, is this how you make a living, there are so many shaman reseachers out there that can wash the floor with your report, yet they still struggle to get an honest cannabis write up. The human race has taken drugs since the year dot and they will continue, whether it be natural cannabis or pharmaceutical philidomide, (which was what, around 50 years ago). Argus, why don't you print one of the million of pro-cannabis reports, and let the public read something worthwhile and enlightening.
We can never return to those innocent days almost half a century ago when cannabis was almost unknown.
Ahh those were the days, I remember them well, when the police had nothing to do, everyone was rich, the sun shone everyday and there were no taxes. oh yes and when teddyboys roamed the streets with cut throat razors, just after the 2nd world war, to stop hitler with his draconian laws. Come back Hitler you still have a fan club. Well done Adam Trimingham, so little reseach for big bucks, is this how you make a living, there are so many shaman reseachers out there that can wash the floor with your report, yet they still struggle to get an honest cannabis write up. The human race has taken drugs since the year dot and they will continue, whether it be natural cannabis or pharmaceutical philidomide, (which was what, around 50 years ago). Argus, why don't you print one of the million of pro-cannabis reports, and let the public read something worthwhile and enlightening.
Posted by: T K on 10:20pm Wed 14 May 08
so does the public benefit from prohibition?
and why do we not see any stories on possible bans on alcohol and tobacco when they clearly are more damaging and unhealthy to both the individual and society?
why is it funny and peculiar to ban cigs and beer but not to ban hemp?
so does the public benefit from prohibition?
and why do we not see any stories on possible bans on alcohol and tobacco when they clearly are more damaging and unhealthy to both the individual and society?
why is it funny and peculiar to ban cigs and beer but not to ban hemp?
Posted by: David Vernon, saltdean on 8:47am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]dave[/bold] wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly[/quote] If your pilot was suffering from fatigue would you want him to fly? Most pilots do not smoke cannabis, some do, and the planes that have crashed in the past are not just contributed to cannabis or even alcohol. Just because your pilot had a quick drink in the airport does not mean your plane will crash.
Would you want your surgeon to be overworked before carrying out your operation?
Would you want your father to come home from work so tired he does not have the energy to read you a bedtime story?
Would you want your child’s teacher to have too many children in a class that he is over worked and tired?
So many situations that are out of our control, yet the prohibition on drugs can not change these facts of life.
The legalisation of recreational drugs will sure prove once and for all that, should we all be teetotal or at least let our hair down and relax. What we seriously need is to legalise and tax, a proportion of this tax should contribute to real study on our health, well being and the problem with bingeing/addiction. We are not computers that can be turned on or off. We are human beings that are so novice at living, just because Bill Gates is the richest man in the world does not make him the oracle of life. Mr Gates does not have people’s lives in his hands like a pilot or train driver, but still these people are sometimes paid so little for the responsibility they have on their shoulder you sometimes wonder why they do their job.
Due to basic human error I would not want to put my life in any bodies hands, but sometimes we have to have some trust in humans. So, if my pilot had smoked cannabis before flying me, if he assured me that he was competent to fly, I would sit down and roll it for him, if we crashed due to the cannabis, I can assure you now that the non-cannabis users would spread the word, but as of now, no pilot has crashed his plane due to light use of any drug.
Would you want your country directed by a stoned leader who listened to experts or some depressed manic who decided to make a decision contradictory to a democratic society? Would you want your depressed trainee pilot to turn off his autopilot? This is what has happened to this country.
dave wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly
If your pilot was suffering from fatigue would you want him to fly? Most pilots do not smoke cannabis, some do, and the planes that have crashed in the past are not just contributed to cannabis or even alcohol. Just because your pilot had a quick drink in the airport does not mean your plane will crash.
Would you want your surgeon to be overworked before carrying out your operation?
Would you want your father to come home from work so tired he does not have the energy to read you a bedtime story?
Would you want your child’s teacher to have too many children in a class that he is over worked and tired?
So many situations that are out of our control, yet the prohibition on drugs can not change these facts of life.
The legalisation of recreational drugs will sure prove once and for all that, should we all be teetotal or at least let our hair down and relax. What we seriously need is to legalise and tax, a proportion of this tax should contribute to real study on our health, well being and the problem with bingeing/addiction. We are not computers that can be turned on or off. We are human beings that are so novice at living, just because Bill Gates is the richest man in the world does not make him the oracle of life. Mr Gates does not have people’s lives in his hands like a pilot or train driver, but still these people are sometimes paid so little for the responsibility they have on their shoulder you sometimes wonder why they do their job.
Due to basic human error I would not want to put my life in any bodies hands, but sometimes we have to have some trust in humans. So, if my pilot had smoked cannabis before flying me, if he assured me that he was competent to fly, I would sit down and roll it for him, if we crashed due to the cannabis, I can assure you now that the non-cannabis users would spread the word, but as of now, no pilot has crashed his plane due to light use of any drug.
Would you want your country directed by a stoned leader who listened to experts or some depressed manic who decided to make a decision contradictory to a democratic society? Would you want your depressed trainee pilot to turn off his autopilot? This is what has happened to this country.
Posted by: Dr John Watson, Baker Street on 9:21am Thu 15 May 08
So glad to see Adam Trimingham keeping up the reputation of journalistic candidates for Ben Goldacre's bad science column.
So glad to see Adam Trimingham keeping up the reputation of journalistic candidates for Ben Goldacre's bad science column.
Posted by: Simon Smith, Newcastle on 1:09pm Thu 15 May 08
People who drink do so in public, the effects can be seen and felt by all, on streets in bars etc.
People who smoke often do so in public, and even with the ban you still smell in streets, see fag ends outside bars.
both of the above hiner society and affect none-users of alcohol and tobacco.
Cannabis users, in general, consumer in their own homes, usually with other cannabis users keeping themselves to themselves. you will never see a riot full of stoned people, you will never get stoned people chanting down the street in large groupsintimidating others. to be honest you would rarely see a person when stoned. now how is this a problem? if a person wants to get high, watch a film and listen to some bob marley so be it. its the drunks smashing up bus stops you should be worried about
People who drink do so in public, the effects can be seen and felt by all, on streets in bars etc.
People who smoke often do so in public, and even with the ban you still smell in streets, see fag ends outside bars.
both of the above hiner society and affect none-users of alcohol and tobacco.
Cannabis users, in general, consumer in their own homes, usually with other cannabis users keeping themselves to themselves. you will never see a riot full of stoned people, you will never get stoned people chanting down the street in large groupsintimidating others. to be honest you would rarely see a person when stoned. now how is this a problem? if a person wants to get high, watch a film and listen to some bob marley so be it. its the drunks smashing up bus stops you should be worried about
Posted by: lizel, hove on 10:15pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Legs11[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]dave[/bold] wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly[/quote] Yes because they do bugger all nowadays its all done by computer, and in a real emergency enough adrenaline would kick in to totally over ride any Cannabis smoked, but most people who smoke do not smoke at work so I wouldn't expect my pilot to be stoned if he/she wanted to keep their job.[/quote] obviously our brain has already been exposed to too much cannabis, and your comments are irrelevant, i suggest that only people who have brains not affected by drugs should have the right to be taken seriously.
Legs11 wrote:
dave wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly
Yes because they do bugger all nowadays its all done by computer, and in a real emergency enough adrenaline would kick in to totally over ride any Cannabis smoked, but most people who smoke do not smoke at work so I wouldn't expect my pilot to be stoned if he/she wanted to keep their job.
obviously our brain has already been exposed to too much cannabis, and your comments are irrelevant, i suggest that only people who have brains not affected by drugs should have the right to be taken seriously.
Posted by: Legs11, Brighton on 11:51pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]lizel[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Legs11[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]dave[/bold] wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly[/quote] Yes because they do bugger all nowadays its all done by computer, and in a real emergency enough adrenaline would kick in to totally over ride any Cannabis smoked, but most people who smoke do not smoke at work so I wouldn't expect my pilot to be stoned if he/she wanted to keep their job.[/quote] obviously our brain has already been exposed to too much cannabis, and your comments are irrelevant, i suggest that only people who have brains not affected by drugs should have the right to be taken seriously. [/quote] Sorry don't smoke, just don't mind those that do!! Does that ruin your irrelevant argument?
lizel wrote:
Legs11 wrote:
dave wrote:
if the pilot of your aircraft taking you on
holiday was smoking cannabis,would you still fly
Yes because they do bugger all nowadays its all done by computer, and in a real emergency enough adrenaline would kick in to totally over ride any Cannabis smoked, but most people who smoke do not smoke at work so I wouldn't expect my pilot to be stoned if he/she wanted to keep their job.
obviously our brain has already been exposed to too much cannabis, and your comments are irrelevant, i suggest that only people who have brains not affected by drugs should have the right to be taken seriously.
Sorry don't smoke, just don't mind those that do!! Does that ruin your irrelevant argument?
Posted by: Bex, Brighton, UK on 12:55am Fri 16 May 08
"legs 11 you answerd my question,as you say ,if he or she were found smoking cannabis they would lose their jobs so cannabis must be bad for you"
Awesome, Dave. Of course, if a pilot was found shagging an air hostess in the **** pit, he'd also be fired, so sex should probably be outlawed too; or if he was playing Texas Hold 'em, instead of answering his radio, so cards should definitely go. I'm pretty sure he'd at least get a warning if he was on his mobile phone or surfing the web while at the controls, so obviously mobiles and laptops should, in all circumstances, be against the law. Thinking about it, if he was found potting shrubs while he was meant to be flying the plane, he'd probably be on a disciplinary, so all forms of gardening should definitely be out...
Awesome argument Dave, seriously. You're an idiot.
"legs 11 you answerd my question,as you say ,if he or she were found smoking cannabis they would lose their jobs so cannabis must be bad for you"
Awesome, Dave. Of course, if a pilot was found shagging an air hostess in the **** pit, he'd also be fired, so sex should probably be outlawed too; or if he was playing Texas Hold 'em, instead of answering his radio, so cards should definitely go. I'm pretty sure he'd at least get a warning if he was on his mobile phone or surfing the web while at the controls, so obviously mobiles and laptops should, in all circumstances, be against the law. Thinking about it, if he was found potting shrubs while he was meant to be flying the plane, he'd probably be on a disciplinary, so all forms of gardening should definitely be out...
Awesome argument Dave, seriously. You're an idiot.
Posted by: Bex, Brighton, UK on 12:57am Fri 16 May 08
Haha, it sensored c0ckpit. Hehe. Well done The Argus, well done you.
Haha, it sensored c0ckpit. Hehe. Well done The Argus, well done you.
Posted by: Spliff puffer, Brighon on 2:30pm Fri 16 May 08
Lets all go smoke a joint, it will "speed" up Friday afternoons
Lets all go smoke a joint, it will "speed" up Friday afternoons
Posted by: Mary Jane, London on 2:54pm Fri 16 May 08
I think the home secretary should be arrested and charged for her use of cannabis. By her own admission she used cannabis. It is irrelevant if the crime took place a number of years ago as it was illegal at the time she consumed it. If she believes that cannabis is so serious that it deserves a prison sentence and reclassification then she should not be immune from being prosecuted, other wise its just hypocrisy.
I am able to grow and consume deadly nightshade in my garden but I can not grow a cannabis plant.
How do you ban nature? Nature grows cannabis and it can be consumed with no chemical preparation or involvement by man, unlike heroin or cocaine.
Why has heroin use gone up 3000% in the UK while Holland remains one of the lowest heroin use?
Why has cannabis use amongst the Dutch lower then than in the UK.
What is Skunk? I have heard it called a strain and made to sound deadly when infact, what I believe they are referring to is sensimilia (Spanish for with out seed) which has always been around and is not new.
Why is it that a kid can go and buy drugs from a dealer rather then prove they are an adult and get it from a licensed premises (like in Holland)
During prohibition beer was not made at home but whisky. If your doing some thing illegal then its best to get the strongest, so prohibition leads to stronger strains.
Why is it that glass or other harmful substance can be placed on cannabis and you don’t know what you’re buying or how strong it is unlike again like Holland where you know the weight type and strength.
Why is the government not making money from taxing, Dutch cannabis coffee shops have conservatively paid an estimated £300 million pounds in 2006 in taxes. With the UK heavy taxing regime like on cigarettes this would be a windfall of around 1 billion pounds gained from taxing cannabis per year.
To class b or not 2 class b who gives a ****.
SAY KNOW to drugs just look a reefer madness for the propaganda.
By the way I am 32 and have done very well for my self. At the age of 23 I was in the top 5% earners in the UK for my age group. I own several properties here and abroad and I run a business employing over 300 people – oh I almost forgot to mention I smoke an once a week.
I think the home secretary should be arrested and charged for her use of cannabis. By her own admission she used cannabis. It is irrelevant if the crime took place a number of years ago as it was illegal at the time she consumed it. If she believes that cannabis is so serious that it deserves a prison sentence and reclassification then she should not be immune from being prosecuted, other wise its just hypocrisy.
I am able to grow and consume deadly nightshade in my garden but I can not grow a cannabis plant.
How do you ban nature? Nature grows cannabis and it can be consumed with no chemical preparation or involvement by man, unlike heroin or cocaine.
Why has heroin use gone up 3000% in the UK while Holland remains one of the lowest heroin use?
Why has cannabis use amongst the Dutch lower then than in the UK.
What is Skunk? I have heard it called a strain and made to sound deadly when infact, what I believe they are referring to is sensimilia (Spanish for with out seed) which has always been around and is not new.
Why is it that a kid can go and buy drugs from a dealer rather then prove they are an adult and get it from a licensed premises (like in Holland)
During prohibition beer was not made at home but whisky. If your doing some thing illegal then its best to get the strongest, so prohibition leads to stronger strains.
Why is it that glass or other harmful substance can be placed on cannabis and you don’t know what you’re buying or how strong it is unlike again like Holland where you know the weight type and strength.
Why is the government not making money from taxing, Dutch cannabis coffee shops have conservatively paid an estimated £300 million pounds in 2006 in taxes. With the UK heavy taxing regime like on cigarettes this would be a windfall of around 1 billion pounds gained from taxing cannabis per year.
To class b or not 2 class b who gives a ****.
SAY KNOW to drugs just look a reefer madness for the propaganda.
By the way I am 32 and have done very well for my self. At the age of 23 I was in the top 5% earners in the UK for my age group. I own several properties here and abroad and I run a business employing over 300 people – oh I almost forgot to mention I smoke an once a week.
Posted by: Chris on 3:33pm Sat 17 May 08
I've been a cannabis user for almost as long as Adam has been a journalist. My brain remains unaddled despite almost daily use. I enjoyed a successful career.
That's more than we can say for Adam whose lack of aptitude for writing is compounded by his childish and crass analysis. Perhaps he should have been a politician rather than a 3rd rate hack.
I've been a cannabis user for almost as long as Adam has been a journalist. My brain remains unaddled despite almost daily use. I enjoyed a successful career.
That's more than we can say for Adam whose lack of aptitude for writing is compounded by his childish and crass analysis. Perhaps he should have been a politician rather than a 3rd rate hack.
Posted by: amanda, a long way away on 10:54am Mon 19 May 08
what strikes me here is a total lack of sources or references to back up all these generalised statements. It took me 5 minutes to establish death by cannabis & death by alcohol.. for some facts rather than a load of opinionated crap try reading transform drug policy foundations web site (they submitted to the consultation on review, as did the DHA (drugs & health alliance).. the only way forward is to control & regulate - all drugs. If people cannot understand the arguments presented by tdpf then I question their capacity to form fact based opinion rather than listen to remenisent ramblings of a so called journalist (still, when did we ever expect journalists to present facts?)
what strikes me here is a total lack of sources or references to back up all these generalised statements. It took me 5 minutes to establish death by cannabis & death by alcohol.. for some facts rather than a load of opinionated crap try reading transform drug policy foundations web site (they submitted to the consultation on review, as did the DHA (drugs & health alliance).. the only way forward is to control & regulate - all drugs. If people cannot understand the arguments presented by tdpf then I question their capacity to form fact based opinion rather than listen to remenisent ramblings of a so called journalist (still, when did we ever expect journalists to present facts?)
Posted by: amanda, a long way away on 10:54am Mon 19 May 08
what strikes me here is a total lack of sources or references to back up all these generalised statements. It took me 5 minutes to establish death by cannabis & death by alcohol.. for some facts rather than a load of opinionated crap try reading transform drug policy foundations web site (they submitted to the consultation on review, as did the DHA (drugs & health alliance).. the only way forward is to control & regulate - all drugs. If people cannot understand the arguments presented by tdpf then I question their capacity to form fact based opinion rather than listen to remenisent ramblings of a so called journalist (still, when did we ever expect journalists to present facts?)
what strikes me here is a total lack of sources or references to back up all these generalised statements. It took me 5 minutes to establish death by cannabis & death by alcohol.. for some facts rather than a load of opinionated crap try reading transform drug policy foundations web site (they submitted to the consultation on review, as did the DHA (drugs & health alliance).. the only way forward is to control & regulate - all drugs. If people cannot understand the arguments presented by tdpf then I question their capacity to form fact based opinion rather than listen to remenisent ramblings of a so called journalist (still, when did we ever expect journalists to present facts?)
Posted by: Wm O'Brien BSc, norwich on 5:35pm Thu 22 May 08
"show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."
Excellent logic there, by using the same arguement I can show you a current tea, coffee. tobacco, alcohol, oxygen, water and food user. This must surely PROOVE that all these things are also gateway drugs.
The "gateway" theory is rarely taken seriously outside of conversations between incredibly misinformed people, The Argus and Mr Trimingham should be embarassed to print such utter rubbish.
If indeed this is the most damning arguement, it must speak volumes that it falls at the first fence by simply being made up.
"show me someone addicted to hard drugs and I will show you a former or current cannabis smoker."
Excellent logic there, by using the same arguement I can show you a current tea, coffee. tobacco, alcohol, oxygen, water and food user. This must surely PROOVE that all these things are also gateway drugs.
The "gateway" theory is rarely taken seriously outside of conversations between incredibly misinformed people, The Argus and Mr Trimingham should be embarassed to print such utter rubbish.
If indeed this is the most damning arguement, it must speak volumes that it falls at the first fence by simply being made up.
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