Cannabis: up from C to B

[RGL_UK]

The classification of cannabis has changed.

There are many worries with cannabis, such as:

* Most of the cannabis around today is much stronger than it used to be.

* There is a worry that some young people will ‘binge smoke’ strong cannabis to try and get as stoned as possible, which is a particular concern because of the known risks of cannabis to long-term mental health.

* Cannabis can worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia and lead to relapse.

* And as well as its short-term psychological effects, there is a probable, though weak, link between cannabis use and the later development of psychotic illness (such as schizophrenia).


Class B puts cannabis in the same category as drugs like speed. The maximum penalty for possession has gone up from 2 years in prison to 5 years and an unlimited fine. The maximum penalty for supply, which includes giving or selling to friends, is 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.

So what do people think?
Should more be done?

[Laika]

Because whiskey is stronger than beer, does that mean we should outlaw it?

Cannabis can also be used as an anti-psychotic drug, as well as a whole number of other medicinal uses that few other plants seem to possess.

'Probably though weak'? From what I understand, the chances of developing Schizophrenia in your lifetime is 1%. For occasional Cannabis users, this may be raised to 2%, and for those who smoke 30 joints a day, 6%.

NOBODY has ever died from Cannabis use, this is a fact, the 'lethal ratio', the amount more than the effective dose needed to kill you, is about 1:4000. Alcohol, on the other hand, is 1:10 whilst Heroin is 1:6.

However, there is definite strong evidence to suggest that usage before 15 can severely impact development, I might be all for legalisation of Cannabis, but under no circumstances should be be available to those under 18, unlike cigarettes which although under 18's can't buy, there is no punishment for underage possession.

This sir, is a very leading question, given that you're only out-ling the potentially detrimental impacts of Cannabis. Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol. Either criminalise Alcohol, or legalise Cannabis.

[RGL_UK]

Because whiskey is stronger than beer, does that mean we should outlaw it?

Cannabis can also be used as an anti-psychotic drug, as well as a whole number of other medicinal uses that few other plants seem to possess.

'Probably though weak'? From what I understand, the chances of developing Schizophrenia in your lifetime is 1%. For occasional Cannabis users, this may be raised to 2%, and for those who smoke 30 joints a day, 6%.

NOBODY has ever died from Cannabis use, this is a fact, the 'lethal ratio', the amount more than the effective dose needed to kill you, is about 1:4000. Alcohol, on the other hand, is 1:10 whilst Heroin is 1:6.

However, there is definite strong evidence to suggest that usage before 15 can severely impact development, I might be all for legalisation of Cannabis, but under no circumstances should be be available to those under 18, unlike cigarettes which although under 18's can't buy, there is no punishment for underage possession.

This sir, is a very leading question, given that you're only out-ling the potentially detrimental impacts of Cannabis. Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol. Either criminalise Alcohol, or legalise Cannabis.

I agree to some of your points.
In all honesty alot of under 18's at the moment have/will try Cannabis but making it legalised will increase the chances of contact between under 18's and Cannabis.

Before it is legalised i think the a more effective method should be put in place to reduce under 18 usage.

[Laika]

I agree to some of your points.
In all honesty alot of under 18's at the moment have/will try Cannabis but making it legalised will increase the chances of contact between under 18's and Cannabis.

Before it is legalised i think the a more effective method should be put in place to reduce under 18 usage.

It's hard to target specific age groups when something is illegal, besides some people just try it because its illegal, I know it sounds rather moot, but it's true.

[RGL_UK]

It's hard to target specific age groups when something is illegal, besides some people just try it because its illegal, I know it sounds rather moot, but it's true.

Now that i agree with :)!
Its the basic principle of human nature - People want what they cant/shouldnt have.
Lets be honest, and before anyone says anything i am English myself and live in London.
Alot of people in England cannot control themselves and ruin it for everyone else, for example: The law about Pub's being able to stay open for as long as they want.
This is a conscept in alot of the EU, such as France.
In France families are able to sit outside cafes drinking for aslong as they want, but in England the constant supply of drink has caused some negative effect's on the population.

We would have to be careful the same doesnt happen with legalised Cannabis.

[JAKE911]

Okay, from what's been said, it might have been a good idea to make it a Class B. A lot of kids would be getting offered drugs from peer pressure, messed-up dealers and so on, but the way it could also be used for medicinal reasons is good.
I know that it IS still a drug but when used for medicinal reasons it would be a COMPLETELY different perspective of it.
Talking in using it as a drug; it should be Class B.
Medicinally; Class C.
Voted: Don't know;)

[PandaPanic!]

Well at the end of the day there is always going to be arguments about which substances are legal and which are illegal as for instance Cannabis v Alcohol, Alcohol is pretty much a drug with all the problems it causes in today's society and Cannabis is pretty much the same to a certain extent. As for Cannabis being upgraded i think it is a good idea, not because it is stronger, but overall it causes mental health problems and they are much harder to deal with when people are of a much older age. Sure Alcohol causes some Psychological issues and health issues too although at least most of the Psychological effects of alcohol go away when the person as sobered up where as with Cannabis it's going to stay with them for the rest of their life. And vice versa for Alcohol as it causes actual damage to the body such as liver damage etc so to be honest they are just as bad as one another.

[JAKE911]

That's a good point Panic when you said alcohol is pretty much a drug, then you'd be saying whiskey is a drug because it's stronger than alcohol when the only thing they do is get you drunk if you have too much and make you smell bad. You have a point where alcohol does cause damage to your body physically but cannabis does mentally. If you do damage yourself from alcohol, whiskey or any drug, it would have been self-inflicted.

[Laika]

Okay, from what's been said, it might have been a good idea to make it a Class B. A lot of kids would be getting offered drugs from peer pressure, messed-up dealers and so on, but the way it could also be used for medicinal reasons is good.
I know that it IS still a drug but when used for medicinal reasons it would be a COMPLETELY different perspective of it.
Talking in using it as a drug; it should be Class B.
Medicinally; Class C.
Voted: Don't know;)

I don't think it being upgraded to Class B really affects the average user that much, it's still ridiculously easy to get hold of and you're just as likely to be 'peer pressured' into it as ever. Personally, I don't see that as much of an argument, although this may be down to my sheltered, middle-class upbringing.

[JAKE911]

I don't know how common it is in Ireland or anywhere else but it WOULD be very easy to get pressured and abused into it.

[Transcendence]

In my opinion it should be legalized.

[JAKE911]

Why do you say that Tran? It is still a drug.

[Laika]

Why do you say that Tran? It is still a drug.

Ever taken an Ibuprofen? You're a drug user.
Ever taken more than the stated dose? You're a drug abuser.

[JAKE911]

What you mean like headache pills, Calpol, Benylin and stuff like that?

[vertigu9219]

Not a drug its a plant 100% natural.
Alcohol is a drug ban that.
You dont get folk getting stoned and fighting in the street, and if you do then they didnt smoke enough.:inquisitive:

[PandaPanic!]

What you mean like headache pills, Calpol, Benylin and stuff like that?

Yeah he means them because they are Drugs but you are using them in a sensible way to benefit yourself, Tea & Coffee contain Caffeine which is a Drug too although all it does is keep you awake.

Cigarettes are also one of the biggest drugs available on the market and that is grown from a Plant as well.


Not a drug its a plant 100% natural.
Alcohol is a drug ban that.
You dont get folk getting stoned and fighting in the street, and if you do then they didnt smoke enough.:inquisitive:

Even if it is a plant that is 100% natural as soon as a substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function it is known as a Drug. Insulin is a drug made inside the body too but where some people need to inject it in to themselves because of illnesses it is still called a Drug.

[vertigu9219]

Love to panic we will have to disagree on that.
The plant was around for millions of years before the word "drug" was ever used.
It is only in this time of international laws and global control that this became an illicit substance.
The THC receptors in our brains were around millions of years before humans.
And insulin is in fact a hormone not a drug.

[JAKE911]

I see what Laika is saying that headache pills and the like are drugs but they ARE medicinal...

[Laika]

I see what Laika is saying that headache pills and the like are drugs but they ARE medicinal...

So is Cannabis. It's oft cited as one of the single best plants for medicinal usage, given it's vast array of uses. It can even be used as an anti-psychotic. Besides, illegal or not, abuse is abuse. You can overdose on paracetamol, but you can't technically overdose on Cannabis.

[Transcendence]

Because whiskey is stronger than beer, does that mean we should outlaw it?

Cannabis can also be used as an anti-psychotic drug, as well as a whole number of other medicinal uses that few other plants seem to possess.

'Probably though weak'? From what I understand, the chances of developing Schizophrenia in your lifetime is 1%. For occasional Cannabis users, this may be raised to 2%, and for those who smoke 30 joints a day, 6%.

NOBODY has ever died from Cannabis use, this is a fact, the 'lethal ratio', the amount more than the effective dose needed to kill you, is about 1:4000. Alcohol, on the other hand, is 1:10 whilst Heroin is 1:6.

However, there is definite strong evidence to suggest that usage before 15 can severely impact development, I might be all for legalisation of Cannabis, but under no circumstances should be be available to those under 18, unlike cigarettes which although under 18's can't buy, there is no punishment for underage possession.

This sir, is a very leading question, given that you're only out-ling the potentially detrimental impacts of Cannabis. Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol. Either criminalise Alcohol, or legalise Cannabis.

Once again Laika says it for me. Lets see how the government will like it when a massive industry totally disappears if Alcohol is banned. The only reason the government doesnt legalize weed is because it will always be relatively easy for people to grow their own that will be the excact same standards as what the government would be selling, hence there is no profit in it and no reason for the government to sell it.

Fucking power is a bitch and when people are given it they will only do what's best for them. Society needs to see this and Take the power back. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJVF4E1hqO0&feature=related)

Also here (http://listverse.com/science/top-10-common-myths-about-cannabis/) is a nice little inconvenient truth for any non-believers.

[DJ12]

Drugs would be far safer if they were just legalised and available from specialised shops like in Holland.

Half the people dying on drugs are because they have been sold bad stuff, the other half because they've taken too much.

If drugs were legalised then the chances of your gram of coke having been cut with rat poison or anything else harmful to you is severly reduced.

Yes some drugs can cause problems to people, but they are taking them anyway so it would be safe to relax everything down to make sure people are taking other toxins at the same time.