Cannabis use down since legal change
Gordon Brown’s plans to tighten the law on cannabis by increasing the penalties for possession suffered a fresh blow yesterday as the latest official figures showed the decision to downgrade the drug had been followed by a significant fall in its use.
British Crime Survey statistics showed that the proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds using cannabis slumped from 28% a decade ago to 21% now, with its declining popularity accelerating after the decision to downgrade the drug to class C was announced in January 2004.
The decline in cannabis consumption prompted a call from the independent UK Drugs Policy Commission to take decisions about drug classification out of the hands of ministers. Dame Ruth Runciman, the commission’s chief, said: “We do not believe the credibility of the current system or the clarity of message has been enhanced when, in just the space of seven years, five home secretaries have sought one way or another to address the classification of cannabis.”
So, is she saying that politicians create drug laws and policies for political reasons without regard to whether they work, are needed or have detrimental effects? You don’t suppose that happens in other areas, too…
BTW, that wacky weed is now “California’s most valuable agricultural crop”. So, if we legalize it, use will decline, and the growing and selling of it can be taxed. What do you say, politicians? We know how you love your tax money! And, if we start exporting it, we help the trade deficit and…
>essentially premeditated drunk driving. Even when you’re sober,
What does this mean?
There is little evidence that .08 is drunken. Even one drink can cause that level for some people. The real problem is these checkpoints where all drivers are checked with breathalyzers. If a cop pulls you over for driving poorly, then it really doesn’t matter what the legal level is, that’s a legit basis for a drunken driving charge.
#41 – MikeN,
So how would you determine an acceptable level? As you point out, some people get too drunk from one drink.
Those of you who haven’t used drugs can just shut the hell up right now. Those of you who can’t control themselves on drugs/alcohol can also shut the hell up, and don’t be a user.
For the rest of us, who like getting f’ed up, it’s better to smoke pot than drink alcohol. It’s easier to predict dosage, and the effects come on and wear off significantly faster.
I think THC is kept illegal because of something I’ve observed: people who smoke it tend to be rebellious. The “founding fathers”; Washington, Jefferson, and others in the group – they were “hemp farmers”, and you damn well know they were pot smokers, too. They rebelled against their king and government (Britain).
You get more pot smokers in the USA, you’ll end up with a more pissed off populace than we currently have, and the gubment can’t have that. So, it’ll remain illegal, unfortunately.
Now go get drunk. It works for Bush and Kennedy – I mean, what’s the worst that can happen? You’ll kill somebody with your car, or start an unjustified war…
On a side note about this alcohol thingy. There’s currently a xenophobe ioncident in Barcelona, Spain involving an Ecuadorian immigrant girl (don’t know if legal or not but most likely legal) who was beated the crap of in a train by a guy. The whole thing was recorded by security cameras and you can see the girl sitting in her chair and this guy giving her a flying kick.
The guy now is excusing himself. Check it out! the guy says “I’ve never been a racist. I was too drunk. She didn’t deserve what I did to her”
#43 again, another one that thinks one has to die to know death sucks. Great logic, keep at it.
#31, Lauren;
You’re right. Very rarely are there insightful and intelligent comments on any internet site.
#9 Dave had a great point, that’s for sure.
#40, Scott;
Errr, I think you misinterpreted Dave’s post. Or am I missing something?
#44;
No, great logic is cherry picking a few instances and extrapolating conclusions out of that limited sample data.
Interesting links and website:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5v6vxv
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5q9lxb
As long as rich and powerfull CEOs and such are around great ideas and innovations will be squelched so they can keep making millions.