Minister gives warning over strong cannabis
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Independent Minds
A Home Office minister today pointed to the effect of strong cannabis on friends of his son as he defended the Government's policy on drugs.
Lord West of Spithead's comments followed the row over the sacking by Home Secretary Alan Johnson of the Government's chief drugs adviser Professor David Nutt.
Labour's Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a former police chief superintendent, spoke at question time of the "increasing strength of cannabis particularly skunk".
Lord West told him: "Skunk is far, far more dangerous. I'm afraid I know from my own experience with my youngsters and their friends.
"My son has two friends both of whom have been severely affected by the use of this really, really strong drug. It is a nonsense to say it doesn't have appalling effects."
He added: "All of the chaps who seem to do this, and the women, seem also to drink and smoke ordinary cigarettes as well."
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Comments
When will ministers in charge of policy making be taught the difference between anecdote and science?
Hey, MacKenzie, if these drug takers smoke and drink as well, then obviously smoking and drinking leads to taking drugs. Shouldn't you be banning the root cause?
One wonders whether Lord West would have said anything if the Home Secretary didn't have a credibility problem. One also wonders whether he has the faintest idea what scientific method is. & whether he is making it up.
This is what you could call soft anecdotal evidence. It would be hard anecdotal evidence only if he was talking about his son, not some nebulous & less traceable friends of his son.
If the weed is stronger you use less. Simple.
This is pathetic propaganda from 'Lord' West and his ilk. Cannabis is completely non-toxic, it is not possible to have an overdose (coffee is much more toxic). By and large, marijuana's medical benefits far outway the non-existent threat of psychosis.
Could the minister concerned please describe what these appalling affects are, that affected these unfortunate people?
Skunk does not define a strength of weed, to start with there are Indicas and Sativas, of which both will contain varying levels of THC and Cannabanoids. For all the Lords, and the press for that matter, understand your subject before having opinions!
Following through the logic of the govt and the daily mail mafia, people won't be able to distinguish between the two so next time they are in a licenced bar they could easily order a pint of brandy and die.
http://www.phoenixtears.ca/
For well researched information read Jack Herer's book
"The Emperor wears no clothes" it informs you in detail, the good Cannabis does, and why it is really banned. It is criminal this superfood is being denied us.
Lord of the universe, or just some geezer in the house Lords, I'm intrigued...
It is clearly the cannabis that caused the harm to the chaps, isn't it old bean?
Wow, is this a real non-story, or what!?
Some out of touch 'lord' wines on about those pesky 'chaps' who smoke a bit of dope.
And the news in this is...?
Criminals grow Indica because:
Its quick to grow = less chance of being caught.
Its short = easy to hide
Its a high yield = so more money
Unlike Cannnabis Sativa another cannabis strain which takes longer to grow, is far taller (5 - 14 feet) an has moderate yields per sq. ft. but has a better balance of cannabinoids (CBD CBL THC). This strain does not induce paranoia(In anyone outside of government) and has possible medical applications as an anti-psychotic.
What I'm getting at is : All you can get in the UK is potent Indica as crimnals don't care about your mental health so prohibition is not helping.
Its similar to the US alcohol prohibition of the twenties.
Indica is the cannabis equivalent of bath tub gin, its cheap and can be nasty.
The Dutch have proven that regulation and decriminilization is a positive thing, if it were introduced, regulation and taxation can also be bought in. It would give any government the opportunity to actually get something right from the start, rather than legistlating by the seat of there pants, or directly to peoples pockets as they have with alcohol and cigarettes
Any chance of having some science rather than politics?
Alcohol is highly dangerous and people die using it. But deaths from this so called lethal cannabis seem rather lacking?
If this skunk is meant to be strong? Then I think has said above the users will treat it like whiskey.
You do not exactly go and ask for whiskey in a pint glass and drink it like a pint?
I believe skunk has been available in Coffee shops in Holland for 15 years or more? Also I think available for the Swiss to grow has they wish? Thus why is the Dutch and Swiss economy not in recession like ours? And how can you account for the fact the Dutch seem to have a better educational system than ours and a well developed functional society? Switzerland seems OK also. They also seem to also enjoy high standards of living?
Our none elected PM Brown and Alan Johnson have a Presbyterianism view of the world and politics is about cunning opportunism used to gain control.
That is why science is important. It is objective, free from bias and addresses fact and not superstition or irrational belief like politics. I want to see the science to decide and not have it hidden from view.
But Alan Johnson sacked the scientist in trying to prove that the world is flat and not round?
Maybe Alan Johnson should prove his ideologies and drink a pint of whiskey for us on TV? And see how long he stands?