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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Scientists still at odds over risks and benefits of taking
Lorna Duckworth The Independent
Monday 25 Jun 2001 More adults use cannabis in Britain than in any other European state and almost half of the nation's teenagers are thought to have smoked the drug by the time they leave school. But the debate over the health impact of cannabis is highly controversial, with supporters of the drug claiming it has few harmful effects and opponents warning it can do serious damage. The adverse effects for regular users, and the medicinal benefits for patients with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, are still not fully proved, partly because the drug has more than 400 active ingredients. Cannabis users take the drug because of its mildly sedative effect, which leads to lower blood pressure, increased appetite, feelings of relaxation and increased sociability. But if cannabis is smoked, people have all the long-term risks of tobacco such as mouth and lung cancers, bronchitis and increased risk of heart attacks. In some first-time users it can provoke anxiety, panic and suspicion. There is also evidence that, in extreme cases, it can produce severe mental disturbance, and precipitate or aggravate schizophrenic attacks. Long-term side-effects include distorted perception, slower reaction times, impaired co-ordination and driving skills, and lack of motivation. Some research has suggested that heavy users can suffer acute mental problems, loss of control, irrational fears and depersonalisation. Concerns have also been raised that plant breeding has made the drug many times more potent than it was in the 1960s. Some people argue cannabis can lead to use of hard drugs such as heroin, but this is not true for most users. Dr Claire Gerada, a specialist in drugs, said: "Cannabis is undoubtedly safer than heroin or cocaine. But if the constraints are relaxed, I would be concerned about increased use of the drug and more problems with side-effects as people use it for longer." Evidence that cannabis has a medicinal benefit led the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee to recommend in 1998 that it should be used for therapeutic purposes. But the Government is awaiting the results of clinical trials before deciding whether cannabis extracts should be prescribed to patients with multiple sclerosis, to help ease their muscle spasms and tremors, or to reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. America's Food and Drug Administration has approved the oral use of dronabinol, a cannabis derivative, for people with Aids. Cannabis analogues have been shown to prevent seizures in epileptic patients when given in combination with prescription drugs. Claims have also been made for the drug's use in treating asthma, strokes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism, insomnia and glaucoma.
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