What are people's feelings about cannabis? It seems as if the governmen't expert panel want it to stay class C but Gordon Brown wants to make it class B. Mithran has done a thoughtful blog on it which you might want to read. My personal view is that cannabis is probably more harmful than a lot of people think, particularly in terms of mental health. However, whether the way to tackle this harm is by extra criminalisation I'm not sure.

 

Ive just made my vote but I must admit Im not really sure about cannabis. I dont use it but I know many people who do and its so readily available and cheap and socially acceptable these days. I remember as i was growing up and into my teens  cannabis users were seen as "junkies" and undesirables but nowdays its just like smoking a cig......bad for you but everyones doing it.

 That's what I felt when I was at uni - it was everywhere and seem to be part of everyday life. I've changed my views since then - maybe I'm just getting old!

I do not use cannabis never have, most people use it and manage to live their lives alright They do say SKUNK is different more powerful. Maybe reclassify this brand only the brands that have scientific evidence of causing mental health. Try an educate people into using a milder version of it. I got offered a brand in Canada which they called it WHEELCHAIR WEED ! They say it puts you in a wheelchair!

But how would you grade the weed? how do you know the dealer is getting the correct strength that you want to buy? you just don't know! cannabis effects people differently and you wont know until you use it. It can also be very addictive and start you on the road to other drugs. I hear what people say regarding the benefits to those suffering from MS but this is short lived. My brother who suffers from Parkinsons tried it to help him relax but it made him paranoid.

In my opnion all you can do is educate people on drugs and allow them to make the desicion on whetehr they wish to use otr not which includes the consequences to their actions. Should we legalise drugs is a more immotive subject do you not think?  

Legalising drugs is absolutely more emotive. On one hand you will get away from the dodgy dealer image  and have quality standards in place to ensure its safe to use. I often wonder just how many people would use it if it was legal? Surely a lot of drug users do it intialyy because it is Illegal? I can believ they actually called it "wheelchair weed" LOL Thats shocking !!!

Anne_123 , The drug dealer will be phased out as we live in aconsumer society and buy stuff on the internet. I noticed the north americans were so hard up they were swopping prescription drugs /medication in pubs and mixing with drink. Some of the prescription drugs being dished out by busy GP's and they maintain are not addictive when they are ,are then bought online . I do not want to list the mdication and get into a debate . The Savvy OCD types in white collared jobs go on line and buy straight from a manafacturer. So there you have it a different type of user and a different type of supplier cutting out the dealer. The question is who is your pusher the GP or the dealer ? A man told me he was a cleaner he originally told me he came from a medical back ground , he was a user and then used his professional back ground to go freelance and clean stuff. He said doctors and nurses were his best clients ! So there you go it is so widely accepted and used by people in all walks of life. I am sure SW's have bumped into their dealer in the daily business. I knew someone identified a SW as being a buyer and a user . A phone call soon got her moved out of the area. The thing is when you do not use you have the higher moral ground. Leads me onto random drug testing for ALL . Think they should do it at the start of the day in a delegated area for court / core meetings planning meetings and contact with children. I mean it is bound to have an effect on evidence . They do this on building sites now so soon it must be done with white collared workers. I know the service users have to do it for the purposes of court. What do you have to say , how often do you think is acceptable in a month to be given a test to a SW or Solicitor or EW even the Judge !

So are you saying that SW are drug users? that is quite a statement to make dont you think? or are you just generalising? Have you evidence to back up these claims?

margaretthatcherschild:

Anne_123 , The drug dealer will be phased out as we live in aconsumer society and buy stuff on the internet. I noticed the north americans were so hard up they were swopping prescription drugs /medication in pubs and mixing with drink. Some of the prescription drugs being dished out by busy GP's and they maintain are not addictive when they are ,are then bought online . I do not want to list the mdication and get into a debate . The Savvy OCD types in white collared jobs go on line and buy straight from a manafacturer. So there you have it a different type of user and a different type of supplier cutting out the dealer. The question is who is your pusher the GP or the dealer ? A man told me he was a cleaner he originally told me he came from a medical back ground , he was a user and then used his professional back ground to go freelance and clean stuff. He said doctors and nurses were his best clients ! So there you go it is so widely accepted and used by people in all walks of life. I am sure SW's have bumped into their dealer in the daily business. I knew someone identified a SW as being a buyer and a user . A phone call soon got her moved out of the area. The thing is when you do not use you have the higher moral ground. Leads me onto random drug testing for ALL . Think they should do it at the start of the day in a delegated area for court / core meetings planning meetings and contact with children. I mean it is bound to have an effect on evidence . They do this on building sites now so soon it must be done with white collared workers. I know the service users have to do it for the purposes of court. What do you have to say , how often do you think is acceptable in a month to be given a test to a SW or Solicitor or EW even the Judge !

 

You really don't like SW's do you. 

SW, It is not a case of like SW's for it to work properly .for example I do like Sooty but would not want to live with him or have him write a critical analaysis report for court regardless of whether he had recently taken recreational drugs within in hours of writing a report ! So in the interest of having a fair trial or have a good outcome or a good result for familes undergoing core assessments.I trhink it is importnat to have random drug testing on SW's. It is used in sport random drug testing so why not respectable professions such as Social Services and anywere else were people are writing up reports that could have serious impact or affects upon private family life. I mean would you want someone to write about you after using ........ Are you also making the same ludicrous suggestion that Lins made that SW's do not use drugs ? Do I have evidence ? saved pdf

Excuse me but I think you will find that I did not state that SW do not do drugs I was asking the question on whether you were stating all SW do drugs. I have say another case of a parent missing hearing what a SW says. If you do intend using our forums for your crusade the least you can do is quote correctly Thankyou  

I'd be more than happy to pee in a pot and be drug screened, whenever required, if it is made a mandatory part of my registration and professional practice. So would most of my colleagues. Would you? In my experience, with reference to your previous post on the subject, people get offered drugs in bars (here in North America) when they look like they use them. Enough said, really.  

My last post was directed to Margaretthatcherschild. The "Edit" function is being hormonal, and won't let me add to the original post.

I totally agree with you Nadine well said. I would be more than happy to be tested I do not have anything to hide I work in an area of high drug use during nights out in the big city I have witnessed drug taking but I would not take them as I am aware of the devistating effects they have on families. Go for GSCC if you want I am all for it as I am sure contrary to some peoples beliefs SW do not all do drugs.