Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
2 November 2009
07:5932229When government drug adviser Professor Nutt was sacked the other day, by Home Secretary Allan Johnson, you knew somehow it was only the tip of the iceberg. And as expected, the row is escalating as we speak, now two more of Professor Nutt's colleagues have resigned with him and possibly with more to follow. The simple advice they gave the government...ie..that Canabis is not as destructive a substance as they (the government) make out...has gone down very badly in Westminster.
Ive never seen Allan Johnson mad before, but he was mad on TV yesterday, as the row escalated all around him. But lets face it, politicians know that any softening of the stance on Canabis is not a vote winner. The truth doesnt come into it!
Whole generations have come into contact with this drug through the years and are now happily mowing the lawn in Surbiton or where-ever with no harm to them whatsoever. People across the nation know this, as does professor Nutt, who was only trying to give out a realistic message after all, when the axe was wielded above his head.
Professor Nutt thinks Canabis is a lot less harmful than alcohol...and he may be right.
2 November 2009
08:4532233The flip side of that is that I have known and worked with many young people who have experienced enduring psychosis as a result of using dope, even just once. I don't know anyone who has become an alcoholic or developed psychosis after one drink.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
2 November 2009
09:2332238Quite right Bern.
We remain far too lenient over drugs.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
2 November 2009
09:3032239Well I never BarryW..you are supporting the Labour Governments position here!?
The fact of the matter is probably more likely that its the few drug addicts that give general mild use a bad name. Many people seem to be taking these substances without much harm but as with alcohol, some people go toooo far and tar the rest of it with a bad brush.
Its the same as drinkers isnt it. Many of us like a beer or a glass of wine, but if you take it to the level where you become a p*sshead, its clearly taking it way too far. Some people will always do this, whether with drink or drugs. More people have easy access to drink so the situation is worse there I would suggest.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
2 November 2009
09:4432240The truth is PaulB, the Labour Government made a real mess of drugs policy when they downgraded cannabis, it sent out all the wrong signals. Also I said we are too lenient, that is hardly an endorsement of the Government line even if this so called drug expert is saying they are too tough....
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
2 November 2009
10:2732243Canabis I understood, is/was, very harmful to young people - it causes all sorts of mental and emotional problems to youngsters (13 to say 17 year olds) that it doesn't seem to do with older people.
There are many cases where it has been proved that Canabis is dangerous to young people. If people were over 20 when they start smoking it, it probably would be different.
I'm not sure if the professors were saying that it's just the affect it has on the person who is taking it, how it damages their body/mind; is there no thought of what it does to people when they go out driving under the influence of canabis ?
It must make them more dangerous and likely to get involved in accidents - I would not be happy if my son or daughter, or Jean, were killed because someone said it was safe to drive while under the influence of smoking canabis - same as drink, it's lethal.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
2 November 2009
13:5032248the problem nowadays with cannabis is that the strains are much more potent, also some dodgy dealers doctor the stuff, making the user dependent.
todays stuff is nothing much like the 60's hippy drug.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
2 November 2009
13:5132249forgot to add, roger is spot on with the effect on peoples driving, i believe that the police can take swabs to test at the roadside.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
2 November 2009
14:2832253Just to dabble in this debate;
I think what A Jiohnstone was saying was, hes quite happy for advisors to be just that advisors!!!
Even D Cameron has come out in support of Johnstone, so not sa political thing.
At thre end of the day is Government that makes policy/has to stand by those decisions.
In this instant D C and johnstone correct
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
2 November 2009
14:4632258Cannabis is an abhorrent substance that has massive knock on effects, not just on the user's lives but others as well, stating that drinking is far worse does not make cannabis ok. One drink can lead to binge drinking and that is bad for everyone, smoking cannabis can and usually does lead to many other hardened drugs, causing much misery and chaos. Like it or not Cannabis is an addictive drug and should stay a banned substance.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
2 November 2009
17:3032272intressting debate going on here,but it seems all negative.looking on the posative side for the moment it has been proved that it can be used as pain relief in certain medical conditions.
no i havent tried it before anyone asks.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
2 November 2009
19:5432284Oh my gawd, good to see the usual misinformed politicised nonsense about marijuana/cannabis on here. Most of this nonsense started back in the 1920's in the USA with the "reefer madness" headlines in the Hearst papers.
Don't get me wrong; all drugs are dangerous and should be properly controlled and licensed; including alcohol, caffeine, pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies and recreational narcotics. Further their sale should be strictly controlled to licensed premises and suitably qualified persons. Having said that we need to de-politicise the debate around drugs and base our ongoing decisions on proper scientific research and guidance on the relative safety or otherwise of individual products, with controls based on risk and danger rather than prejudice and misconceptions.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
2 November 2009
20:1532290no chance of debate on the subject ross.
every politician knows it is a vote loser, hence the blues and reds closing ranks for the first time.
the public would see any politician that instigates a debate as a supporter of drug use.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
2 November 2009
20:2432291ahhh howard,gbs lot and dcs lot are sharing a spliff out the back yard,so there fore they are chilling out together.
2 November 2009
20:2832292Ross - it would be good to be able to debate this without the usual hissy fits on all sides. Dope can indeed be helpful in pain relief and very useful as a result, but it can also be incredibly harmful for the susceptible. I will, for all my life, remember the poor 17 year old lad - he reminded me of my son, even though my son is very anti-drug: it was his demeanour that reminded me of him - who I met when in the throes of a deep and enduring psychosis prompted by one - one - event with dope. I will also always remember (although it is different by a long chalk) the 18 year old I met who was so badly in the depths of withdrawal from smack that he could barely see. He so wanted to be free, and it was his Dad who had given him his first taste. I have often hoped that Dad rotted in Hell. I guess this just goes to show that it can be emotive!!!!!!!!!
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
2 November 2009
20:5432295Bern I do understand.
I have friends who have used cannabis for 30+ years with little or no discernible effect and also seen friends of mine die from their first go with heroin. Howard is right that the subject has become a no-go area for politicians; due in no small part to the screaming irrationality of the populist press. He is also right about the way that herbal cannabis has changed in strength from my youth, where it was always viewed as the mild alternative to cannabis resin, to the hideously powerful skunk that is all one can get today. It is this super strength product that is a cause of many of the mental health problems young people experience with moderate to heavy use.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
2 November 2009
21:4532299did everyone see the film "trainspotting"?
brilliant but harrowing stuff.
the first half of the film showed the four likeable lads from edinburgh having a great time and the fun side of heroin.
i was getting rather irritated by all this, then gradually it all changed, brought to a head with a scene in a filthy squat
where a young girl was off her head on the stuff, then suddenly realises that her baby has stopped crying.
the realisation soon sets in that it has died, the girl gets the screaming fits of course, the young lads are suddenly brought back to real life and shocked by what their neglect has contributed to.