License cannabis sales, expert says

[4me2]

License cannabis sales, expert says

By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News



Suppliers could be licensed to distribute branded products, Prof Pertwee argues
Policymakers should consider allowing the licensed sale of cannabis for recreational use, says one of the UK's leading researchers of the drug.
Professor Roger Pertwee is to make the call in a speech at the British Science Association festival in Birmingham.
He is expected to say radical solutions have to be considered because he believes the current policy of criminalising cannabis is ineffective.
But the government insists decriminalisation would not work.
The dismissal last year of Professor David Nutt as the previous government's leading drugs adviser showed it was in no mood to consider relaxing the status of cannabis as an illegal class B drug.
It is a view shared by the current government, but Prof Pertwee, an expert on cannabis-like chemicals, is to tell scientists that he, like Professor Nutt, believes it is a policy that is doing more harm than good


"I'm talking about harm minimisation," he told BBC News.
"At the moment there is an awful lot of harm caused by what we have at the moment, with children going to a drug dealer or they try and grow it themselves and then they get into trouble with the law."
The University of Aberdeen researcher added: "And by dealing with criminals they may well go on to other drugs as well".
Instead, Prof Pertwee argues, one option policymakers should consider is the setting up of a committee to license the sale of recreational cannabis.
"You would have to think about licensing a suitable supplier and have retail outlets and the next step would be to have marketable, branded products that someone wants to use. At the same time it's got to be as safe as possible," he explained.
Prof Pertwee said licensed products should not be sold in cigarette form - so called "joints".



Avoiding harm

Manufacturers should instead develop products that avoid lung damage.
One delivery mechanism he said should be considered is known among drug users as a "volcano", which heats cannabis to produce a vapour without burning it.
This avoids the burnt products of cannabis that are carcinogenic.
These products should be withheld from high risk groups, he said, especially young people under the age of 21.
Successive governments have resisted efforts to decriminalise cannabis for recreational use.
Even the change in classification for the drug from "B" to the supposedly less harmful class "C" made by the then Home Secretary David Blunkett in 2002 was reversed in 2009.
So how does Professor Pertwee respond to the suggestion that what he is asking for is politically unrealistic?
He said: "What's the alternative?"
"Ideally, recreational cannabis would be banned but that's not going to happen so we're now in a situation where there is quite a lot of harm done by recreational cannabis and what we've got to do is think about a way of reducing that harm".
Commenting on Professor Pertwee's remarks, a Home Office spokesperson said: "There is clear evidence that cannabis is a harmful drug which can cause damage to mental health in the immediate and longer-term. Even the occasional use of cannabis can be dangerous for people with diseases of the circulatory system.
"The Government does not believe that decriminalisation of cannabis is the right approach. Our priorities are clear: we want to reduce drug use, crack down on drug related crime and disorder and help addicts come off drugs for good."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11287130

[Mystical_2K]

doubt it will go anywhere but sounds like a plan

[Cooleo]

It does less damage then alcohol and it will put crime figures down.. why is it illegal again?

[DelTrotter]

Cities would have a roring Coffee shop trade and would give a kick to the Economy. Tourism would go up and Education on the subject would improve, No brainer!

[evilsatan]

"At the moment there is an awful lot of harm caused by what we have at the moment, with children going to a drug dealer or they try and grow it themselves and then they get into trouble with the law."
The University of Aberdeen researcher added: "And by dealing with criminals they may well go on to other drugs as well".

Contradiction... although of course there would have to be an age limit. I am just pointing out he has identified a problem but not suggested a solution such as improved education at a younger age.

These products should be withheld from high risk groups, he said, especially young people under the age of 21.

[4me2]

They had this old flannel in Germany a few years ago.

The suggestion was to sell it at chemists to take it away from the drug dealer scene.
It never happened as noone ever has the balls to follow through with these things.

[BBK]

Despite the fact half (if not more!) of the current government are probably ex-cannabis smokers you are right 4me2, they wont have the balls to push it through. Its a real shame, I cannot see how it makes any sense to not legalise this other than the Daily Mail readers who would be in uproar (they would write letters to their local MP FFS!), but I can live with that. The benefits to me outweigh the negatives in so many ways.

[Freddy]

Canned story from the news pantry. Next week; dog bites child by Heinz.

[super mike]

It never happened as noone ever has the balls to follow through with these things.

Portugal did, from reports I have read it seems to work well.

[prezzy]

Portugal did, from reports I have read it seems to work well.

They decriminalized ALL drugs in 2001 - I was reading a report a while back where research shows that drug use has decreased since they brought this in as well.

[Mystical_2K]

how did i miss that portugal had legalised all drugs?

what are the job opportunities and house prices like

[prezzy]

how did i miss that portugal had legalised all drugs?

what are the job opportunities and house prices like

Not legalised - decriminalised, completely different but still quality

[super mike]

Not legalised - decriminalised, completely different but still quality

And from a worldwide comparison of the price for 1g of Columbia's finest it's cheap too. I am just trying to remember where I saw it now.

However, it always seems to be ignored by the 'think of the children', Daily Mail lot because obviously everyone over there is actually a drug addict that kills people and steals our jobs. The legalise and legislate lot try not to use it very often in discussions because one of the major benefits of legalising and having proper legislation of drugs would be tax revenue from resale (like tobacco and alcohol) which hasn't happened in Portugal (IIRC).

[Zippeyrude]

But the government insists decriminalisation would not work.

end of debate
on old story scripted because the journo had fuck all else to write about
yawn, as you were chaps

[dpSparhawk]

I don't smoke cannabis or ingest it and have only ever tried it once many years back. It just made me feel like I wanted to puke. Therefore, I have zero inclination to try it again.

However, I do not see why they can not make it legal. I don't know ANYONE whom has caused trouble or been involved with anyone whom has caused trouble after having smoked or ingested cannabis.

I do know however, a number of people whom have been violent ater having had too many alcoholic drinks and I've also been on the receiving end and seen others be on the receiving end of trouble caused by alcohol. I'm not saying ban alcohol because I like a social pint or two (literally a pint or two) or maybe a glass of wine or two.

[rookie]

here's my view, ive smoked it nearly for about 13 years.
i hold down a job, i dont rob to buy it,
but?
wood i want to see it legalized hell no!!.
if its legal you will stay have people importing it and selling it themselves.

keep it as it is i say, but make it available for medicinal purposes ie if you had arthirtis etc

[{{909}}]

here's my view, ive smoked it nearly for about 13 years.
i hold down a job, i dont rob to buy it,
but?
wood i want to see it legalized hell no!!.
if its legal you will stay have people importing it and selling it themselves.

keep it as it is i say, but make it available for medicinal purposes ie if you had arthirtis etc

Do you think it effected your education?

I do agree with the last thing you say though, its medicinal values shouldnt be ignored, although in some cases it is prescribed isn't it?

[prezzy]

I do agree with the last thing you say though, its medicinal values shouldnt be ignored, although in some cases it is prescribed isn't it?

Not in the UK it isn't

Some states in the US and other countries allow medicinal marijuana not here though