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Insite correspondent, Shae Courtney, investigates cannabis reclassification

LThe drug that epitomized the hippy era of the 1960s is now making a comeback as the drug of choice in modern British society. The drug, used by millions of young people and adults each year, is being considered for reclassification. This comes only four years after the government relaxed the laws on possession and consumption of the drug. The drug is currently a Class C narcotic.

Opinion

As I found out from young adults in my year at school, most, but not all, support doing nothing to the drug laws. Some favour the total legalization of the drug. Citing the cost of police regulation and little side-effects, some thought that the complete legalization of the drug would benefit the public purse and peoples’ civil liberties. On the other hand, those that take the more conservative stance stated the growing use of cannabis and the increased strength of the drug was cause for concern and thus backed the reclassification of the drug.

“I found out from young adults in my year at school, most, but not all, support doing nothing to the drug laws.”

One individual at school said, “Cannabis is bad for you and I believe the drug has too many side-effects to warrant such relaxed laws. I back the reclassification because there’s so much we don’t know about the psychological effects of weed.” Another traditionalist said, “The reclassification of marijuana is a good idea. At the time of relaxing the laws most of the stuff was less potent than it is today. We’re seeing stronger and stronger strains and we just don’t know the effects. The drug also brings people into contact with hardened drug dealers who try to pressurize users onto harder drugs.”

The liberal individuals I asked said, “It should not only be less restricted, but legalized because it doesn’t kill people. It’s not as bad as other recreational activities such as getting drunk or taking poppers.” “I think it should be legalized and sold through reputable shops so that there is no chance of progression onto harder drugs. I think it should be like the Netherlands – free and sold through coffee shops.”

Perhaps the person with the most weight was a drugs councillor I discussed the matter with. When asked what she thought of the proposed reclassification she said, “I don’t think it will make a difference if cannabis was reclassified. It’s more a technicality in law that won’t make a blind bit of difference to those who consume the drug.” It is common knowledge that cannabis is suspected of causing mental health problems, but the councillor said, “A direct link hasn’t been proved. Those with existing underlying mental issues are the ones that are most likely to suffer from mental problems attributed to cannabis.” Perhaps most interestingly, the drugs councillor added that “There is no evidence to suggest that more people are using cannabis as a result of its downgrading in 2004.” From experience, she thought that she was dealing with no more cases than she had done before the relaxing of cannabis laws four years ago.

“There is no evidence to suggest that more people are using cannabis as a result of its downgrading in 2004.”

Rethink, the mental health charity, does not advocate a change in the law, but would rather like to see “The Government deliver on the massive public education programme promised in 2006 and stop being distracted by the reclassification issue.” This was a view echoed by the drugs councillor I spoke to – she wanted to see more moves to educate young people about the risks of cannabis and other drugs, so that they could make informed choices.

The Law

The drug is widely illegal in most of the world, although its use is endemic. Australia, although not widely enforced, prohibits the possession of the drug. In Belgium, the drug has the lowest priority for police officers and there is little action taken by them. Prosecution may ensue, however, if the drug is consumed in the presence of minors. In Canada, the laws are somewhat ambiguous. There is no clear-cut law which bans or criminalizes the drug. Canadian police do little to those who possess the drug and consumption is widespread. In Eire, the drug is illegal, but the Garda turn a blind eye to the drug if it is for personal consumption. In Spain, where I spent my half-term break, personal use and home cultivation are legal and the drug is smoked widely in all echelons of society. Most in Spain agree with this liberal approach and one person I spoke to said, “It doesn’t harm people. It is cheaper to legalize it than to patrol the streets enforcing silly laws and there are far worse things than marijuana.” Sweden takes a very hard line towards cannabis, however. There is a zero tolerance policy in Sweden and almost all of cannabis cases result in treatment or arrest. It is worth noting that Sweden has a much lower consumption rate than the rest of the Western world. In the US, the matter is at state level rather than federal level. Some states allow the drug for recreational and medicinal use.

The Health Effects

Short term side-effects from the drug include:

  • feeling sick or dizzy
  • feeling panicked or paranoid
  • feeling hungry – the “munchies”
  • loss of balance, co-ordination or hysterical laughing Long-term

side-effects from the drug include:

  • lung disease
  • respiratory problems, such as asthma
  • high blood pressure
  • becoming addicted
  • a risk of becoming sterile or impotent or both
  • skunk or sinsemilla may produce more serious side-effects or may exacerbate existing health problems more than regular strength cannabis

Further Reading