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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Going to pot
Paul Johnson The Mirror
Thursday 29 Jan 2004 Today marks a controversial milestone in the use of cannabis. It is being downgraded from a class B to a class C drug, and police will take a more lenient line towards users. Although those possessing small amounts of the drug are now unlikely to be arrested, at the same time the Home Secretary has launched a million-pound ad campaign to hammer home the message that cannabis is still dangerous and illegal. Meanwhile, anti-drugs campaigners are up in arms. To add further confusion, many sufferers of chronic conditions such as MS and arthritis, say it eases their symptoms more than conventional medication. CHANGE IN THE LAW: Cannabis It seems nobody can decide if the drug is a useful substance, or a potential menace. Here, we look at how today's changes to the law will affect you. __________________ THE FACTS What is it? Cannabis is made from crushed leaves and blossoms from the hemp plant (cannabis sativa). It is usually smoked with tobacco, although it can be taken in chocolate and cakes, smoked by itself, or used in a special vaporiser. The active chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), binds to areas of the brain which are known to be linked to sensations of pain, emotion and movement, making users feel calm and stress-free. It's estimated that more than 3.3million people in Britain used cannabis last year. Is it dangerous? Yes, if smoked with tobacco. The British Lung Foundation says that smoking three joints a day is as bad for your lungs as a packet of 20 regular cigarettes. Doctors also think cannabis may be linked to mental health problems. It is known that those who use the drug are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. Among 50,000 Swedish army conscripts, those who admitted regularly taking cannabis were six times more likely to develop schizophrenia over a 15-year period. But most experts agree that occasional use is unlikely to do long-term harm. Can it be useful? Researchers think cannabis might have wide-ranging medicinal benefits, especially for MS and some cancer sufferers. Cannabis relieves nausea and allows patients to eat, it can also reduce inflammation in those who have painful arthritis. Studies are ongoing into its potential medical uses. Scientists have found that chemicals in the drug can reduce muscle spasms in mice which have the animal equivalent of MS. One difficulty is that it is difficult to judge exact doses, so users can't be sure whether they're getting enough - or too much - of the drug to combat their particular health problem. ________________ SO, WHERE DO WE STAND AFTER TODAY'S DECLASSIFICATION? Q: Is cannabis now legal? A: No. Its use is still illegal and users can be prosecuted. However, it has been reclassified as a class C drug, meaning it is thought less dangerous than amphetamines. Heroin and cocaine are class A drugs. Q: What do these changes mean? A: Police have been given new guidelines on how to deal with cannabis users. People found with small amounts of cannabis for personal use are more likely to be cautioned rather than arrested, although the drug will still be confiscated from them. Q: Can I smoke cannabis in the street, or in a pub? A: No. Those who smoke the drug in "public view" or in front of children - particularly near schools, playgrounds and youth clubs - are very likely to be arrested, as are repeat offenders. Q: Can cannabis now be legally sold in an Amsterdam-style coffee shop? A: No. Dealing in cannabis is still a serious criminal offence. Those convicted face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
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