NationStates Jolt Archive


interesting video on cannabis health issues provides support for legalisation

Pure Metal
31-10-2005, 01:54
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsa/n5ctrl/progs/05/pan/bb/wm/video/19jun_bb.asx

this video is not only interesting, but also provides a clear basis for an arguement for the legalisation of cannabis (the way i see it).

however i'd like to point out, as the documentary didn't at any length, that the proportion of cannabis users who do actually develop problems, such as those shown in the programme, is very, very low. you can say that the proportion of psychotic patients who have a history of heavy cannabis use is disporportionatley high at 75% or whatever it was, but the proportion of total cannabis users - heavy or not - developing those problems is low.


anyways, the arguement for legalisation runs as follows: the risk of developing major mental illness as a result of heavy cannabis use is heightened in the formative teenage years as shown clearly in the documentary. ergo cannabis should not be available to teenagers.
however, on the evidence in the above paragraph, in the vid, and at the beginning of this one, the risk of general use of the drug for most people is within acceptable limits. hence, adults should still be allowed to use the drug.
with cannabis being illegal, it is impossible to control or monitor its supply - specifically supply to teenagers or underage smokers. legalisation would allow such controls, positively affecting mental health, and also quite possibly reducing the overall numbers of smokers by preventing kids from developing habits early.

plus there's the whole issue of removing the criminal element when one buys weed - there's no sense putting the ordinary people who happen to enjoy a puff into more danger than they need be. that goes for quality control, too. and then there's the gateway drug effect: with pot legalised and sold in shops or holland-style coffeeshops, pushers, who are looking to sell you harder drugs through which they can make more profits, will be forced out of the equation. lastly there's the waste of police time tracking down cannabis users (this applies more to the states than europe of course) - supply and underage use only should be policed.


anyways those are my thoughts on the matter. take em or leave em ;)




interestingly they showed that those at risk of - and, importantly, those that do - develop psychosis from heavy cannabis use are those not only psychologically predispositioned to such illnesses, but also have a genetic predisposition to such illnesses in the way their brain metabolises dopamine. interesting...


ps: hope you lot not in the UK can watch this vid