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Post by Beachcomber on Jan 26, 2009 17:39:24 GMT
The reclassification of cannabis from Class C to Class B comes into effect today amid claims the new laws send out “mixed messages”. The government introduced tougher penalties because of concerns that strong strains of the drug, such as skunk, can cause mental health problems.
The government reversed David Blunkett’s decision to downgrade cannabis because of “real public concern about the potential mental health effects of cannabis use,” despite expert advice that it should remain Class C. Although mental health charities welcomed the move, others claim it will do little to deter users. Danny Kushlick, of the drugs policy think tank Transform, said: “Nobody is going to be put off smoking cannabis by the decision to reclassify it. It’s a decision that has been taken for political reasons.”LINKCannabis use has been documented for millenia. There have been no known deaths attributed to it (unlike alcohol) and was only declared illegal in the 1930's. Legalise it, tax it and control it. 
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Post by omnipleasant on Jan 26, 2009 17:43:38 GMT
Didn't make any difference when it went from C to B. Won't make any difference when it goes back.
Not arsed.
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Post by maddie on Jan 26, 2009 17:48:27 GMT
<sprinkles it, rolls it, smokes it>
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Post by policecar on Jan 26, 2009 17:48:32 GMT
damn right Beachcomber - legalise and sell government approved cannabis and reap the tax benefits and employment created that goes along with creating a multi-billion £ industry overnight. It'll also have a positive impact on crime rates.
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Post by omnipleasant on Jan 26, 2009 17:50:07 GMT
Much as though I'd like to see it legalised, it's never gonna happen given our overwhelmingly conservative media.
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Post by maddie on Jan 26, 2009 17:52:48 GMT
Ooops sorry <passes it>  |
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Post by newyorker on Jan 26, 2009 17:54:46 GMT
All drugs should be legalized, from pot to crack, make it all cheap and abundant and the druggies can knock themselves out, literally, then all we have to do is simply wait and let Darwinism run it's course.
It could only be good for society.
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Post by tarrant on Jan 26, 2009 18:00:04 GMT
Agree 100% New Yorker.
That is the only way to stop the yearly rise in the numbers of drug users in society.
As one of your Democratic politicians recently said, It's time for America to learn to live with drugs in society.
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Scooby Do
New Member
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Posts: 21,324
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Post by Scooby Do on Jan 26, 2009 18:08:17 GMT
Wasn't it legal in some parts of London on one side of the street, but not the other?
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Scooby Do
New Member
Where's my pic?
Posts: 21,324
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Post by Scooby Do on Jan 26, 2009 18:09:59 GMT
That is the only way to stop the yearly rise in the numbers of drug users in society.
Correct here if I'm wrong, but did taxing regular cigarettes stop people smoking?
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Post by puffin on Jan 26, 2009 18:11:02 GMT
If it wasn't for the fact that some on hard drugs commit crime to fund their habit, and ruin the lives of all around them, NY, I might agree with you.
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Post by tarrant on Jan 26, 2009 18:22:34 GMT
The point is Puffin, if they can get their drugs easily they can afford them.
The enormous costs come from the sources, criminals.
There has even been suggestions that the drug suppliers may be using their profits to fund terrorism, though that may be a bit of posturing.
Ultimately, we spend enormous amounts trying to hold back a tide and it just doesn't work. 70% of people in UK prisons are there, either directly or indirectly because of the drug laws.
Eventually the drug users will die off and the rest of us will learn the lesson.
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Post by Beachcomber on Jan 26, 2009 18:41:56 GMT
"Eventually the drug users will die off and the rest of us will learn the lesson".
Any particular drug in mind ?
Alcohol ... Addictive, cause of many deaths/violence.
Nicotine... Addictive, cause of respiratory failure/cancer.
Morphine.. Addictive, cause of organ failure/death.
Caffiene ... Addictive, causes high blood pressure/heart failure.
Or
Cannabis ... Non Addictive, causes mild euphoria/lethargy.
All prescription drugs have a toxicity level which can lead to death by overdose. Cannabis has no known toxicity level.
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Post by Beachcomber on Jan 26, 2009 18:44:56 GMT
PS.
If Aspirin were a new drug being released onto the market today it would not receive government approval.
(too many side effects)
(Cheers maddie ........... PFFFFFT ....... passes it on)
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Scooby Do
New Member
Where's my pic?
Posts: 21,324
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Post by Scooby Do on Jan 26, 2009 19:02:04 GMT
"The point is Puffin, if they can get their drugs easily they can afford them."
Explain how you arrive at this?
"The enormous costs come from the sources, criminals."
What?
"Eventually the drug users will die off and the rest of us will learn the lesson."
Have you been drinking?
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Post by fastkat on Jan 26, 2009 19:22:38 GMT
Oh, you sad drug-takers. Have you nothing better to do with your lives? Honestly...  |
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Post by Beachcomber on Jan 26, 2009 19:37:19 GMT
You don't take drugs Fastkitty ? ... ANY drugs ?...Not even prescription ?  |
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Post by tarrant on Jan 26, 2009 20:13:58 GMT
"The point is Puffin, if they can get their drugs easily they can afford them." Explain how you arrive at this? "The enormous costs come from the sources, criminals." What? "Eventually the drug users will die off and the rest of us will learn the lesson." Have you been drinking? The actual cost of most of these drugs is very low. When I worked in terminal care about 17 years ago now, I regularly administered diamorphine to terminal patients. This was, of course, a pure grade. The value of the heroin in each vial would hve been about £2000 on the streets. The cost for each vial was about 29p. And no, I never use any intoxicants. I keep my mind clear for the revolution to come. |
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Post by Beachcomber on Jan 26, 2009 20:24:50 GMT
"The value of the heroin in each vial would have been about £2000 on the streets".
Going off topic here - but why don't the pharmaceutical companies trade directly with the poppy farmers. Buy direct (in bulk) and corner the market in heroin leaving nothing for the drug lords to profit from. The bulk of the crop would be turned into medicinal diamorphin and any surplus destroyed.
It would save a fortune on policing borders, fighting drug wars and employing governmental 'Drug Tzars' etc.
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Post by Foxy1 on Jan 26, 2009 22:55:23 GMT
I didnt realise an £80 on-the-spot fine was part of this reclassification package .... I don't like the sound of that. What if it wasn't cannabis, but lettuce leaves or something?
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