|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
Press Release: Marjorie's Strong "Skunk" causes bad smell for campaigners.
Don Barnard and Dilys Wood Legalise Cannabis Alliance
Sunday 23 Sep 2007 Marjorie's Strong "Skunk" causes bad smell for campaigners. The Legalise Cannabis Alliance ( UK group campaigning to legalise cannabis)has written to Lord Hansard the Chairman SANE (UK mental heath charity) expressing concern the misinformation on strength and risks of cannabis frequently cited by SANE spokesperson Marjorie Wallace does nothing to further harm reduction. (See full Letter to Lord Hansard at end of editors' notes). A spokesperson from the LCA press office said: "It is a shame that we had to "Thank and Spank" SANE in the same letter. But we are fed up with Mrs Wallace making unsubstantiated claims about cannabis distracting us from more important issues." "The bottom line here is anyone who makes an incorrect claim being unaware of the facts can be forgiven. However, To repeat the same claim after being made aware of the fact would be both irresponsible and unforgivable." "The facts are.. The average THC content of cannabis not grown hydroponically has remained stable since 1995. The average THC content of hydroponically grown cannabis has increased from 7% 1995 to 14 % in 2005. "We can only hope that Ms Wallace will take note." Press Office Legalise Cannabis Alliance PO BOX 2883 STOKE ON TRENT S74 9EE http://www.lca-uk.org publicrelation@lca-uk.org 07984 255015 Editors' Notes 1. SANE (UK mental heath charity) http://www.sane.org.uk/ 2. A report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) was commissioned in 2004 to specifically examine the validity of these claims about increased potency. The report, entitled "An Overview of Cannabis Potency in Europe", concluded that; "Statements in the popular media that the potency of cannabis has increased by ten times or more in recent decades are not supported by the data available from either the USA or Europe." "there have been modest changes in THC levels that are largely confined to the relatively recent appearance on the market of intensively cultivated domestically produced cannabis. Cannabis of this type is typically more potent, although it is also clear that the THC content of cannabis products in general is extremely variable and that there have always been some samples that have had a high potency." 3. The findings of two recent studies by Professor Leslie King, the former head of the Forensic Science Service's drugs intelligence, And Researchers at Kings College, London to be published in Druglink, (DrugScope magazine), later this year also expected contradict claims that super-strength 30% plus "superskunk" is dominating the market. The average THC content of Non Skunk variety cannabis (not grown hydroponically) has remained stable since 1995. The average THC content of hydroponically grown cannabis has increased from 7% 1995 to 14 % in 2005. 4. Letter to Lord Hansard: I write on behalf of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance to thank SANE for adding your support to our campaign to make cannabis users aware of, and avoid unscrupulous cannabis growers who add chemicals or grit to add weight and increase profits. Clearly an example of working together for the better good. Sadly we are concerned about some of the comments on strength and risks frequently cited by Marjorie Wallace. Mrs Wallace has again raised the misconception that cannabis is stronger now than it was a decade ago. It has been established and reported by experts, including the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and researchers at King’s College London, that this is not the case. I hope you will ensure that in future your spokespersons are aware of the facts and that credible statements are made. Misinformation does nothing to further harm reduction. Her comments about the contamination of cannabis are however valid and this is a direct result of its prohibition. Unscrupulous cannabis growers add chemicals during the growing process to increase weight or they add ground glass or grit to the dried cannabis, also to add weight and therefore increase profits. The consequences of smoking these additives are unknown. The LCA does not advocate that anyone take any substance if its negative effects outweigh its positive ones. However the vast majority of people who use cannabis report that it is beneficial to them, medically, spiritually and mentally. Millions of people in the UK and around the world report the beneficial effects of cannabis. These people are harming no-one so it is unreasonable for them to be criminalised and prosecuted. Millions of people in the UK rely on alcohol, tobacco, food or prescription drugs to get them through the day and yet it is only those who choose cannabis who are demonised and criminalised. If cannabis is dangerous to vulnerable groups e.g. children or people with a history of mental health problems, then information, education and support is the way forward, not this continued prohibition. Cannabis use should be a matter of personal choice, not of law and if harm reduction is to be achieved cannabis should be legalised and made an issue for the Department of Health, not the Home Office. It’s time we regulated the drugs market, instead of leaving it in the hands of criminals where the age of consent is £10. Yours sincerely, Dilys Wood Secretary & Co-ordinator =================
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!