Cannabis policing relaxed

[DR]

Most cannabis users caught by police will in future escape with a warning and confiscation of the drug.
Under new police guidelines, cannabis users will only be arrested in certain aggravating circumstances.

These could include smoking in public, having the drug around children or for being persistent offenders.

But critics say the new rules will cause widespread confusion, with many mistakenly thinking the drug has been made legal.

And mental health campaigners were concerned they would send out the message that cannabis was risk-free.

The guidance does not specify an amount users can claim is for their own consumption.

But anyone under 17 found using cannabis will still be arrested, under the guidelines drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo).

Officers dealing with cannabis possession will still be required to record the incident as a crime.

And users will still be arrested in areas where local residents have complained.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3100854.stm

[Swafe]

i thought they were planning to change it to class c in july, hence it had already happened

i hate how they say they do something, they delay it

tbh its one of the most harmless drugs out there, and being a class b with speed and the like (lethal drugs) is a bit silly

[Slick]

I think it's a bad idea because it's sending out the impression that the drug is ok to use, see my posts in question time why I think it's bad. It's only harmless in the short term and causes lots of serious problems in the long term and should be 100% illegal and not left illegal but unable to be enforced as there would be no point in laws at all.

[Theo]

I disagree with drug use laws other than things like endangering others whilst under the influence, disturbing the peace, driving etc.

Despite drugs being dangerous/detrimental to peoples health and mind, it is, in my opinion, the persons own choice whether they want to use said drug or not. Not the choice of society, not the choice of the police, not the choice of people in Armani suits.

But still - nice to see at least some laws being slackened, despite me not being a drug user anymore.

[Swafe]

Originally posted by Slick
I think it's a bad idea because it's sending out the impression that the drug is ok to use

Thats rubbish, its still a class C drug

Its still illegal ! And for that reason people know its bad.

Its actually one of the most harmless drugs out there, so if it is giving that message, who cares, its for the individual to decide, but at the end of the day, its still illegal.

[Punky]

YEEEESS!!!!! thank god, at last! i saw the headlines on the Daily Fascist (a.k.a. Daily Mail) in the library at college, and nearly yelled out 'at last', or words along those lines. at last the government are letting people take more of a decision of what they want to do with their lives, rather than being a nanny state.

[Platinum]

Theres no concreate proof that canabis is bad for you in the long term, I welcome this becoming legal, If used correctly it has its plus's.

[Knoxville]

Originally posted by Theo
I disagree with drug use laws other than things like endangering others whilst under the influence, disturbing the peace, driving etc.

Despite drugs being dangerous/detrimental to peoples health and mind, it is, in my opinion, the persons own choice whether they want to use said drug or not. Not the choice of society, not the choice of the police, not the choice of people in Armani suits.

Well said!!!!

Give that man a cookie

if i wanna take drugs and "harm" myself why shouldn't i aslong as i don't take others with me!

[Riley]

Originally posted by Slick
I think it's a bad idea because it's sending out the impression that the drug is ok to use, see my posts in question time why I think it's bad. It's only harmless in the short term and causes lots of serious problems in the long term and should be 100% illegal and not left illegal but unable to be enforced as there would be no point in laws at all.

Why are you so anti canabis?! you have posted in this forums not so long ago about you having a massive piss up and not realising what you had done the night b4? Surely that is far worse than a nice socialable smoke with some friends in an isolated area where it isn't affecting anyone else?! Sure it's bad if you smoke large amounts of it every day but isn't it the same with alcohol? There are lots of people who's lifes have been destroyed by alcohol, which is "physically" addictive also!

People should be allowed to do what they want, as long as it's not interferring with other peoples' lives or causing social problems.

/end rant

[Agent]

Originally posted by not_your_punk
at last the government are letting people take more of a decision of what they want to do with their lives, rather than being a nanny state.

They are not giving you anymore of a decision of what you want to do with your life, but just relaxing the consequences if your found smoking weed.

[jcoquillon]

I think it's about time really. In the scheme of things Alcohol is far more dangerous and damaging than cannabis.

[Russ]

Originally posted by Platinum
Theres no concreate proof that canabis is bad for you in the long term, I welcome this becoming legal, If used correctly it has its plus's.

apart from destroying brain cells of course.

ooh and can cuase paranoia and schizophrenia.

and depression.

(no im not making it up, i work for a Mental Health Directorate at a hospital)

although, with all that said, im not against it!

if you wanna do it, have fun

[malfunction]

Let's face it - most normal people have to get their kicks one way or another whether that's booze or another form of drug.

And alcohol really is bad for you and probably not a better 'mood drug' - I've been in fights (not my own fault), had stupid arguments with my wife about nothing (though I can do that sober too!) and even spent the night in a cell for being drunk (mostly my own fault).

Worst thing I've ever done stoned is experience white death (if you don't already know you end up getting a fever-like cold sweat, feel *very* dizzy and *very very very* sick).

2nd worse thing was experiencing a 12 hour fit of the giggles (swallowing some resin instead of smoking is the way to go - it does not taste good though) - great fun at the time but I actually ended up straining my face and stomach muscles - I was still smiling the next day but you're not trying to - it's just that my face muscles 'locked' that way - ended up looking like the joker! (as in batman).

Actually - scratch all that - the worst thing I ever did stoned was get a really bad attack of the munchies and end up eating a fray bentos pie (and even stoned I couldn't manage more than a couple of mouths of it - it tasted how I imagine dog food to taste)

Throwing a whitey is not much fun at the time (if you get it full on you really will wish you were dead!) but it goes away pretty quickly - quicker than a 'decent' hang over. The other two things are just funny stories now. I've never been a habitual user (well maybe at Uni) and haven't smoked any in years but it's not a bad drug IMO - the main problem with it I'd say is the same as anyone who drinks in excess / everyday - 'sensible' use of cannabis wouldn't do anything to you as much as 'sensible' use of alcohol doesn't. But (not to sound like an old man) you learn these things as you grow up a bit - yes I still drink far too much now and again - but when you've got work, money and everything else life throws at you - you come to appreciate the ability of a couple of drinks to relax instead of going at it 100% to get mashed everytime. The old adages "A bit of what you fancy is good for you" and "Everything in moderation" holds true really (though I still have difficulty with the moderation part!).

In terms of actual damage to your body I reckon that the tobacco most people mix their weed with is probably more dangerous (especially as it's smoked without a filter). I'm not well up on the science of it all but I have looked at it in the past (at Uni - I started out doing a chemistry degree and read up on most recreational drugs - a pharmacology book is a good place to start). And you have to remember that lots of things are bad for you - too much fat, too much sugar, not enough vitamins / minerals in your diet, caffiene, not enough exercise, etc. What people say and think about drugs is in part based on the 'reputation' of that drug - for example - would you say that Thalidomide or Paracetamol was the more dangerous drug? Well if you aren't a pregnant woman (or rather a foetus) then in actual fact the paracetamol has more side effects and a lower lethal dose!

Try using the following phrases in google:

pharmacological characterisation

or

pharmacological characterization

(UK/US spelling)

And add in the name of the drug (the chemical name or abbreviation that is - 'ganja', 'whizz' or 'coke' probably won't do it!)

FWIW:

Ecstasy = MDMA
Cannabis = THC (the active part of cannabis anyway)
LSD = LSD
Cocaine = Cocaine
Heroin = Heroin but methodone may be worth looking at (and I mean for research - I'm not making a recommendation! Generic opiates are pretty similar IIRC)
Speed = Amphetamines

Please note that I'm not advocating any of the above - class A drugs in particular can really f**k you up and class B drugs aren't exactly a good idea either. And you have to remember that all of it is cut with some pretty nasty stuff and for Ecstasy in particular there's meant to be a lot of 'bad sh*t' out there - people selling related drugs as Ecstasy that are actually much worse for you (I'm sure we've all heard of the liver failure type stories)

[biz387]

anyone ell me where i can get some

[Russ]

YGPM

j/k

[Richie]

Originally posted by Theo
I disagree with drug use laws other than things like endangering others whilst under the influence, disturbing the peace, driving etc.

Despite drugs being dangerous/detrimental to peoples health and mind, it is, in my opinion, the persons own choice whether they want to use said drug or not. Not the choice of society, not the choice of the police, not the choice of people in Armani suits.

But still - nice to see at least some laws being slackened, despite me not being a drug user anymore.

Originally posted by Knoxville
Well said!!!!

Give that man a cookie

if i wanna take drugs and "harm" myself why shouldn't i aslong as i don't take others with me!

And the thousands of ppl subject to crime to feed drugs habits have this choice ??


Thats a sweeping approach to drugs but Cannabis, IMHO, should be prescribable to ppl with MS etc.....