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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Charities slam George Michael over smoking cannabis on TV
Life Style Extra
Friday 20 Oct 2006 Drugs and mental health charities today blasted George Michael for openly smoking cannabis on TV. It was revealed today the star said the drug keeps him "sane and happy" while puffing on a joint during a TV interview in Madrid where the drug is legal. But organisations were today queuing up to slam the star, who has twice been cautioned for possessing cannabis, for condoning drug use. Richard Colwill, media officer for mental health charity SANE said somebody in a position of influence should not be making that sort of comment and that it just masked problems and mental issues. He said: "It is the kind of comment we would not want to see from a pop star who is likely to appeal to young people, although he might be appealing more to the older generation now. "He does seem to be showing some degree of self-awareness by saying it is a terrible drug, but we are very concerned about cannabis since it was reclassified as a Class C drug. "People with mental health issues do often self-diagnose and treat themselves with drugs such as cannabis. "It can give a short-term lift from depression, but all it does is mask underlying problems and it can make life more difficult. "There is a growing body of evidence that when cannabis is smoked by young people, it can lead to psychosis when their brain is developing." William Butler, spokesman for Addaction, said there was already enough confusion about cannabis before George Michael's comments. He said: "We are concerned about the message this can send out to young people, especially when there is such confusion about the legality of cannabis. "Cannabis is illegal because it can be harmful, as can all drugs. We need stronger and clearer messages about cannabis harm so that people are in a position to make informed choices. All drugs have potential to harm and that is the principal message we need to get across." Speaking to Melvyn Bragg on the South Bank Show, he said: "This is the only drug I've ever thought worth taking but you have to wait. "It never occurred to me to take even this until I was about 22 or 23. "This stuff keeps me sane and happy. I could write without it...if I were sane and happy. "I'd say it's a great drug - but obviously it's not very healthy. You can't afford to smoke it if you've got anything to do. Anything at all would be foolish." http://www.lse.co.uk/ShowStory.asp?story=OM2030277G&news_headline=charities_slam_george_michael_over_smoking_cannabis_on_tv -- WebBooks Amazing Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.co.uk/webbooks05
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