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Echo
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 14 Apr 2003
Posts: 1899
Location: England
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 Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 10:01 pm Post subject: UK cannabis reclassification |
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On the 29th of January Cannabis will be downgraded to class C controlled substance. When we first heard of Blunkett's proposal nearly two years ago the reaction was one of sheer jubilation. Class C substances' consume is a non-arrestable offence, it meant that cannabis was at last decriminalised in the UK. Right? Wrong, I am afraid. Because as soon as the announcement was made, the law has been retouched under the criminal act so that cannabis dealers will be punishable to up to 14 years and users to up to two years. It actually gets worse for dealers, they only got up to 5 years tlll now. And slightly better for consumers (they had it up to 5 yrs). Not what we had hoped for.
And to make it even worse, Steve Boggan writing for the Times, has published today an interview with Robin Murray, an authority in psychiatry in the UK. Murray is not a pro-pot guy for sure, he thinks that nearly all mental patients (80%) are ill because of smoking pot. (Try me ROBIN!) Robin Murray also thinks that the government is relaxing too much with the soft drugs laws. I am of an altogether different opinion, last but not least because prohibition never seemed to work in the past, so why should prohibit something make your patients better, Robin? And have you ever looked into the surveys that seem to contradict yours?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,172-954297,00.html
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January 07, 2004
Blunkett warned of dangers of cannabis
By Steve Boggan
ONE of Britain’s foremost authorities on psychosis has said that cannabis use
is now the leading problem facing the country’s mental health services — just
three weeks before the Government downgrades the drug to Class C.
Robin Murray, head of psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, told The Times
that inner-city psychiatric services were nearing a crisis point, with up to 80
per cent of all new psychotic cases reporting a history of cannabis use.
David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, announced in 2002 that he intended to
re-classify the drug after a lengthy examination of drugs policy by the Commons
Select Committee on Home Affairs. However, Professor Murray said that new
evidence had since come to light proving that people who used cannabis in their
teens were up to seven times more likely to develop psychosis, delusional
episodes or manic depression.
“Unfortunately, there were no experts in psychosis on the committees that
advised the Government,” he said. “That’s not a criticism; at the time, no one
thought there should have been. Since then, there have been at least four
studies that show the use of cannabis, particularly in young people, can
significantly increase the likelihood of the onset of psychosis.
“There is a terrible drain on resources. The drug also drastically reduces
recovery — people who improve go out on the street, meet their dealer, use the
drug again and relapse.”
It will still be an offence, from January 29, to possess, cultivate or supply
cannabis but the maximum sentence for possession will fall from five years to
two.
The Home Office said it was aware of the new research but felt it was important
to differentiate between cannabis and more serious drugs such as crack, heroin
and Ecstasy.
DEBATE
Should the Government rethink its cannabis policy?
Send your e-mails to debate@thetimes.co.uk
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Rev. Chazman
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 15 Nov 2003
Posts: 1403
Location: Illinois - USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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The governments disguise a pacifying move that looks to be in our favor, but really they tighten their grip and give as little or nothing. Placebo politics strikes again?
Peace
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I praise good thoughts, good words, and good deeds and those that are to be thought, spoken, and done. I do accept all good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. I do renounce all evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds. ---Avesta: Yasna
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Future Servant of Cannatopia ©2004 - ∞ Rev. Chazman all rights reserved |
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Whitegold
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 20 Nov 2003
Posts: 189
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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This guy need his head examined...did he not think for himself that maybe 80% of all people; psychotic or not; may have a history of marijuana use.....it certainly feels that way when i meet people, even those within a corporate or commercial setting....
Oliver Letwin MP, rightly stated on the tv program room 101 that if you dragged ALL the ministers out of the British government each and all would admit to 'trying' cannabis (but obviously not inhale)...take a look at Mr Nice (oxford graduate) and the name dropping he does within his book...it just shows the total nonsense we are fed every day.
This is a load of twonk....more indoctrination by the media and scare mongerers amongst us in this difficult world....
E-mail to Times on it's way....damn plonker... 
Sorry to give such negative or angered words but i have yet to have my medicine today...so to this Mr. Murray....get a life mate....what do you expect if you hang around with unstable people all the time...unstable statements 
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