-Caveat Lector-
From
http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=522065&in_revi
ew_text_id=486907
}}}>Begin
Cannabis is given health all clear
by David Taylor Home Affairs Correspondent
Scientists today cleared the way for a softening of the law on cannabis, declaring that
the drug "is not associated with major health problems for the individual or society".
The Government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs found that while
cannabis smokers can become dependent, the drug is not as addictive as tobacco or
alcohol.
Although cannabis may pose risks for people with heart problems, or for
schizophrenics, the dangers are not so great as in the case of other drugs such as
amphetamine, say the scientists. In healthy young people, cannabis is even said to
have a similar effect on the heart as exercise.
The findings are sure to dismay some anti-drugs campaigners who regard cannabis
as a "gateway drug" which can lead users to experiment with harder substances,
such as heroin.
At the moment, cannabis is a Class B drug, one rung down from cocaine, heroin and
ecstasy, but on a par with amphetamine or "speed". In October, Home Secretary
David Blunkett signalled his intention to downgrade cannabis to Class C alongside
steroids and some sleeping pills - meaning that being caught with small amounts
would no longer be an arrestable offence.
Today's advisory council report says cannabis is less harmful than other Class B
drugs, adding: "The continuing juxtaposition of cannabis with these more harmful
Class B drugs, erroneously ( and dangerously) suggests that their harmful effects are
equivalent."
It makes clear that alcohol is far more damaging than cannabis to health and society
at large because it encourages risk-taking and leads to aggressive and violent
behaviour.
Today's report - always expected to support downgrading - is seen as the next step
toward the biggest change in the drugs laws for more than 30 years.
Both the Commons and the Lords will have to debate and vote on the issue before
the law can be changed and the Home Secretary will wait until he has read two more
key reports before he asks Parliament to look at the question.
First, he wants to see a study of the Metropolitan Police's Lambeth experiment where
people caught with cannabis have been let off with a warning and simply had the
drug confiscated. Then he will read the home affairs select committee's wide-ranging
report on the Government's drugs policies.
A Home Office source said any change in the law would come "in the summer at the
earliest". It would still be possible to go to jail for dealing in cannabis, but people
caught with small amounts for personal use would likely face only confiscation and a
formal warning.
Email this article to a friend
© Associated Newspapers Ltd., 14 March 2002
End<{{{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled
one is truly vanquished. -Johann Christoph Schiller,
German Writer (1759-1805)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that
prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
