Resource 9 (Activity 4)The Cannabis Debate (1 of 2)

10 Drugs Awareness

Background- Cannabis has been illegal in the UK since 1925.- Cannabis plants and resin were class B drugs in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but were reclassifi ed on 29th January 2004 to class C.- Cannabis oil is a class A drug.- Cannabis is a Schedule 1 drug, in other words it is deemed to have no therapeutic use (at this point in time).

POINTS FOR LEGALISING CANNABIS:Medicinal- Drugs such as Dronabinol, which contain THC (contained in cannabis) are prescribed to suppress nausea and for pain relief and to enhance appetite for people who have AIDS.- Could help in the relief of delerium tremens (DTs), period pains, insomnia and headaches.- In some states in the USA or in Canada, it is possible to receive cannabis as a prescribed drug from a GP.- There is some evidence to suggest that cannabis could be useful in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. “I’d like to see the government back a programme of research into the medicinal properties of cannabis and I do not object to its responsible use as a recreational relaxant.” (Richard Branson).

Legal- Decriminalising cannabis would mean fewer arrests, less money being spent on court proceedings and more money available to spend on education and health promotion. It would also stop young people being drawn into a world of crime. “I support decriminalisation. People are smoking pot anyway and to make them into criminals is wrong. It’s when you’re in jail that you really become a criminal. That’s where you learn all the tricks.” (Paul McCartney) “We need a full blown enquiry into drugs and criminality. The law is an ass where drugs are concerned.” (Jon Snow)

Hypocrisy- Millions of people worldwide are taking cannabis.- In some countries, cannabis has been used for centuries.- A change in legislation is supported by some members of the government.- The police tend not to exercise the full power of the law on fi rst offenders and those who have cannabis for personal use. “The current policies on cannabis make no sense. Our government needs to spend less time trying to regulate individual behaviour and more time trying to guide institutions into responsible behaviour.” (Anita Roddick, OBE)

Resource 9 (Activity 4)The Cannabis Debate (2 of 2)

10 Drugs Awareness

POINTS FOR NOT LEGALISING CANNABIS:Health Problems- Cannabis cigarettes contain more of the known carcinogen, benzopyrene than tobacco cigarettes. Tar content of Cannabis cigarettes is 50 – 100% greater than tobacco.- Cannabis and ageing affect the brain in a similar way.- Eating cannabis can make the effects diffi cult to regulate. A user may fi nd themselves more stoned than they expected.- Cannabis use may cause pregnancy diffi culties, birth defects and abnormalities.- It may cause hallucinations, which may trigger a psychotic episode for someone with a pre-existing mental health condition.- Cannabis users are six times more likely to develop schizophrenia than non-users.

Social Problems- Roadside study of reckless drivers, not believed to be impaired by alcohol, found that 45% tested positive for Cannabis (1994).- Cannabis use is a major risk factor for the development of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS in adolescents.- May have an adverse affect on the social relationships of the user due to severe mood swings and a lack of interest (amotivational syndrome).- Possession of cannabis even for personal use could result in imprisonment for up to two years, loss of job, expulsion from school and inability to enter some countries in the future.

Addiction and Gateway Problems- In America, over 140,000 people were admitted to drug treatment programmes in 1995 due to Cannabis addiction.- 82% of troubled youths who use Cannabis at least six times become addicted to it.- 75% of people who use Cannabis 100 times or more go on to use cocaine.- 22% of the Dutch youth over 12 who have ever used Cannabis have now also used cocaine.

Resource 10 (Activity 4)Powerpoint Presentation (1 of 2)

10 Drugs Awareness

Resource 10 (Activity 4)Powerpoint Presentation (2 of 2)

10 Drugs Awareness