Title: Labour: The party that listens....
XsNrG - May 7, 2008 12:11 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
Cannabis laws to be strengthened Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said cannabis is to be reclassified as a Class B drug against officials' advice. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs says cannabis should stay a class C drug, the category to which it was downgraded under Tony Blair. But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she wanted the law tightened because of the growing use of "skunk" - a stronger form of cannabis. The Tories want cannabis to be Class B. Lib Dems want ministers to heed advice. 'Psychotic illness' Ms Smith announced the change - which is subject to Parliamentary approval - during a statement to MPs. She said the move was part of a "relentless drive" to tackle drugs and to protect the "future health of young people". In its report, the advisory council described cannabis as a "significant public health issue" but said it should still remain a Class C drug, as the health risks were not as serious as those of Class B substances, such as amphetamines and barbiturates. The advisory council will be saying, as they did in their previous report, that rather than base policy on speculation or anxiety, it needs to be based on evidence Martin Barnes Drugscope The report, Cannabis: Classification And Public Health, acknowledged the possible effect of the drug on mental health. It said the evidence pointed to a "probable, but weak, causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use". However, in the population as a whole, cannabis played only a "modest role" in the development of these conditions, it said. Sir Michael Rawlings, chair of the advisory council, said: "Cannabis can unquestionably cause harm to individuals and society and the ACMD (the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) is very concerned about its widespread use, particularly among young people. "After careful scrutiny of the available evidence, the ACMD considers - based on its harmfulness to individuals and society - that cannabis should remain a Class C substance. "However, the ACMD wishes to emphasise that cannabis is still a significant public health issue." The council called for a concerted public health response to reduce the use of cannabis, with particular emphasis placed on targeting young people. 'Very concerned' The committee, which includes judges, doctors, police and drug counsellors, also voiced concern about the prevalence of domestic cannabis farms supplying the market and the involvement of organised criminal networks. They recommend stricter penalties for some suppliers. Their report says cannabis should remain in Class C, where the maximum penalty for possession is two years, rather than five. But, during the inquiry, "a minority" of council members disagreed, saying they were "very concerned" about the mental health risks of the widespread availability of more potent forms of the drug. The advisory council did not look at the message conveyed to the public or the impact on policing, which it is not legally obliged to do. 'Sending a message' Ms Smith said she accepted the vast majority of the advisory council's recommendations, but disagreed on the classification of the drug. And Gordon Brown said at prime minister's questions that he believed making cannabis a Class B drug was supported by the public and the police. Martin Barnes, from the charity Drugscope, urged Mr Brown to listen to the experts. "The advisory council will be saying, as they did in their previous report, that rather than base policy on speculation or anxiety, it needs to be based on evidence," he said. Deborah Cameron, of the drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction, said education was needed, adding that changing the classification of cannabis would do little to deter people from smoking it. Last month, Mr Brown said he wanted to "send a message" to young people that using cannabis was "unacceptable". Cannabis was downgraded to Class C - which includes substances such as tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (so-called "liquid ecstasy") and ketamine - from Class B, in 2004. It means possession is treated largely as a non-arrestable offence. The Conservatives have called for cannabis to be returned to Class B, while the Liberal Democrats have urged the government to be more open about the scientific advise it receives. Home Office research published in February suggested skunk dominates the UK market - comprising 70% to 80% of samples seized by police. |
Rkane - May 7, 2008 12:31 PM (GMT)
Good. About time.
Get Bendtner - May 7, 2008 04:20 PM (GMT)
Good.
Soon nobody will be smoking cannabis.
Soon nobody will be smoking cannabis.
Coca Kolo - May 7, 2008 04:28 PM (GMT)
Good move by Labour.
XsNrG - May 7, 2008 04:31 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Get Bendtner @ May 7 2008, 04:20 PM) |
| Good. Soon nobody will be smoking cannabis. |
Indeed. I mean, since they put the age of buying/selling cigarettes to 18, I haven't seen one person < 18 smoking......oh, wait.....
Rkane - May 7, 2008 04:37 PM (GMT)
I doubt it will stop people smoking it but it will most importantly hopefully help a lot of kids perceptions that its 'legal' and okay to smoke it.
I used to smoke it all the time but it was never at its current strength and seeing 10-16 year olds regularly smoking skunk without a care is partly down to the Governments decision to lighten its classification.
I used to smoke it all the time but it was never at its current strength and seeing 10-16 year olds regularly smoking skunk without a care is partly down to the Governments decision to lighten its classification.
The Emirates Gallastico - May 7, 2008 04:37 PM (GMT)
There is nothing wrong with cannabis. :unsure:
Rkane - May 7, 2008 04:39 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (The Emirates Gallastico @ May 7 2008, 05:37 PM) |
| There is nothing wrong with cannabis. :unsure: |
Really? So you think its ok for teenagers (16and younger) to be smoking skunk? No problem with that at all?
The Emirates Gallastico - May 7, 2008 04:48 PM (GMT)
Not worse than cigarettes or alcohol, and both of those are widely available from what I've heard...
Rkane - May 7, 2008 04:50 PM (GMT)
And there I was, thinking your naivety was just an act ;)
Unless you are buying it off the black market, which most kids don't, then when at least cigs/liquor are checkable as to what they are inhaling/drinking. That is still not acceptable to me either though.
You ever heard of grit weed? Shit they mix up with sand granules and is basically contaminated. It is everywhere at the moment and you think kids are buying the top range weed out there? Get real TEGS, they are bunning shit that can not only fcuk up their persona a lot quicker than cigs or alcohol due to their age but also damage their physical well without it even being immediately noticeable.
Unless you are buying it off the black market, which most kids don't, then when at least cigs/liquor are checkable as to what they are inhaling/drinking. That is still not acceptable to me either though.
You ever heard of grit weed? Shit they mix up with sand granules and is basically contaminated. It is everywhere at the moment and you think kids are buying the top range weed out there? Get real TEGS, they are bunning shit that can not only fcuk up their persona a lot quicker than cigs or alcohol due to their age but also damage their physical well without it even being immediately noticeable.
The Emirates Gallastico - May 7, 2008 04:56 PM (GMT)
I was talking about in England, you nut.. <_<
The government is hardcore here, you need a driving license to buy alcohol and you get sent to jail for four years minimum if they even find a spec of drugs on your person (unless you're famous of course, at which point it gets cut down to about an hour or two :lol: ).
I have debated about this in great length on another thread somewhere (and pissed off a load of people too :cool: ) but if less harmful drugs - weed and hash being amongst them - were legal to have, you'd see a lot less people doing them. And there is nothing wrong with them - the only reason they are outlawed is because the government does not get tax money from them as they do with cigarettes/alcohol.
The government is hardcore here, you need a driving license to buy alcohol and you get sent to jail for four years minimum if they even find a spec of drugs on your person (unless you're famous of course, at which point it gets cut down to about an hour or two :lol: ).
I have debated about this in great length on another thread somewhere (and pissed off a load of people too :cool: ) but if less harmful drugs - weed and hash being amongst them - were legal to have, you'd see a lot less people doing them. And there is nothing wrong with them - the only reason they are outlawed is because the government does not get tax money from them as they do with cigarettes/alcohol.
Rkane - May 7, 2008 05:01 PM (GMT)
I was talking England too.
Usage has gone up since its classification was dropped some years ago. Its a myth to think that it would be a paradise if these drugs were made legal. Once you open the doors to these drugs then why would it stop there? It wouldn't.
As I said above, unless you buy off the black market, which a majority of people don't, then you know that your liquor and fags have rules/regulations to make them safe. Grit weed, skunk, commercial is all sprayed and put through so much shit nowadays, what you are rolling in your papers is so far removed from its original growth form. I've seen it myself from friends, smoking that skunk shit all the time can send you fcuking potty.
Usage has gone up since its classification was dropped some years ago. Its a myth to think that it would be a paradise if these drugs were made legal. Once you open the doors to these drugs then why would it stop there? It wouldn't.
As I said above, unless you buy off the black market, which a majority of people don't, then you know that your liquor and fags have rules/regulations to make them safe. Grit weed, skunk, commercial is all sprayed and put through so much shit nowadays, what you are rolling in your papers is so far removed from its original growth form. I've seen it myself from friends, smoking that skunk shit all the time can send you fcuking potty.
The Emirates Gallastico - May 7, 2008 05:04 PM (GMT)
Aye - but if weed / hash / etc were made legal, they'd have to go through the same laws and all that alcohol / cigarettes do - ergo a lot safer.
I would be willing to bet (with no proof, of course - just a feeling) that the use of weed / hash / ecstasy etc would drop more than half amongst teenagers if it was legalized. The main thing about them for most people, especially those of a younger age is the thrill.
I would be willing to bet (with no proof, of course - just a feeling) that the use of weed / hash / ecstasy etc would drop more than half amongst teenagers if it was legalized. The main thing about them for most people, especially those of a younger age is the thrill.
Rkane - May 7, 2008 05:16 PM (GMT)
Can you imagine the amount of law suits that would be filed for usage under 'legal' drugs. How many do the tobacco companies deal with already? How many more laws would have to be put in place? Legal drugs means more laws, more regulation and more government, higher taxes and higher insurance rates.
Alcohol use didn't decrease when it was legalized as when abortion became legal, abortions didn't decrease. When an action becomes legal, the number of people carrying out that action increases. Drugs are no different in that respect.
Alcohol use didn't decrease when it was legalized as when abortion became legal, abortions didn't decrease. When an action becomes legal, the number of people carrying out that action increases. Drugs are no different in that respect.
XsNrG - May 7, 2008 06:06 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| I was talking England too. Usage has gone up since its classification was dropped some years ago. Its a myth to think that it would be a paradise if these drugs were made legal. Once you open the doors to these drugs then why would it stop there? It wouldn't. As I said above, unless you buy off the black market, which a majority of people don't, then you know that your liquor and fags have rules/regulations to make them safe. Grit weed, skunk, commercial is all sprayed and put through so much shit nowadays, what you are rolling in your papers is so far removed from its original growth form. I've seen it myself from friends, smoking that skunk shit all the time can send you fcuking potty. |
The problem being that there hasn't actually been a proven link between it's use and psychotic illnesses, though I admit it can probably act as a trigger for some, in the same ways that violent media can act as a trigger for some.
There are also reports that the use of the drug for certain age groups has actually dropped, not increased.
Skunk is about quite a lot more than a few years ago - and yes, it is f'cking strong - the simple solution from the more intelligent people is not to use so much of it... :coffee:
Simple solution overall would to be just to make it not illegal to grow for personal use.
Where's my username gone? - May 7, 2008 08:46 PM (GMT)
Weed is harmless, eh?
You should've seen some of the people at the house I was staying with in France.
You should've seen some of the people at the house I was staying with in France.
Cripps - May 7, 2008 08:56 PM (GMT)
Your family? :unsure:
Grimandi's Perm - May 7, 2008 08:57 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Where's my username gone? @ May 7 2008, 08:46 PM) |
| Weed is harmless, eh? You should've seen some of the people at the house I was staying with in France. |
Were they...
French? :yikes:
Get Bendtner - May 7, 2008 11:21 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Grimandi's Perm @ May 7 2008, 08:57 PM) | ||
Were they... French? :yikes: |
:haha:
Where's my username gone? - May 8, 2008 09:09 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Grimandi's Perm @ May 7 2008, 09:57 PM) | ||
Were they... French? :yikes: |
No, they weren't actually. :lol:
But boy, were they messed up from smoking weed.
Grimandi's Perm - May 8, 2008 10:06 PM (GMT)
Marc Overmars - May 8, 2008 10:18 PM (GMT)
Drugs are bad.
XsNrG - May 10, 2008 08:26 AM (GMT)
Yeah, but fun.. :coffee:
Bob & Terry - May 10, 2008 08:30 AM (GMT)
Skunk does fry your brains. My brother has smoked dope for years and can't remember much beyond last year. He's somehow holding down a job as a sales director for a company at Heathrow but that won't last forever.
Est. 1886 - May 11, 2008 10:12 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Coca Kolo @ May 7 2008, 05:28 PM) |
| Good move by Labour. |
Labour were the ones who leagalised it in the first place, what a bunch of muppets :doh:
Grimandi's Perm - May 11, 2008 11:42 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Est. 1886 @ May 11 2008, 10:12 AM) | ||
Labour were the ones who leagalised it in the first place, what a bunch of muppets :doh: |
I don't think it was ever legal, was it?
XsNrG - May 11, 2008 12:04 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Grimandi's Perm @ May 11 2008, 11:42 AM) | ||||
I don't think it was ever legal, was it? |
No. I guess that kind of proves their point really :lol:
Thugz life - May 11, 2008 12:47 PM (GMT)
Weed (not skunk)>>> Alcohol.
Weed in moderation is not as bad as people make it out to be. If the goverment could grow it then it would be legal in England. They would get so much through taxes and it would be able to be monitored like in Amsterdam.
Weed in moderation is not as bad as people make it out to be. If the goverment could grow it then it would be legal in England. They would get so much through taxes and it would be able to be monitored like in Amsterdam.
Cripps - May 11, 2008 12:51 PM (GMT)
Tried weed.
Stinks like feck and leaves a nasty taste.
Only the saddos do it
Stinks like feck and leaves a nasty taste.
Only the saddos do it
The Emirates Gallastico - May 11, 2008 01:08 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Cripps @ May 11 2008, 04:51 PM) |
| Tried weed. Stinks like feck and leaves a nasty taste. Only the saddos do it |
:console:
The Emirates Gallastico - May 11, 2008 01:08 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Thugz life @ May 11 2008, 04:47 PM) |
| Weed (not skunk)>>> Alcohol. Weed in moderation is not as bad as people make it out to be. If the goverment could grow it then it would be legal in England. They would get so much through taxes and it would be able to be monitored like in Amsterdam. |
:good: