Drug legalisation has been a contentious issue for decades within the UK. Both sides of the drugs debate, seem to have valid and genuine arguments.
Cannabis for example, is at a controversial point at the moment. The UK government has signed off on cannabis use for certain medical conditions. However, the patients who need this medication are struggling to get their hands on the all-important prescription for the cannabis, commonly called CBD.
CBD is used to treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis as well as many other chronic conditions. As well as the medical uses there is a growing support for the full legalisation of cannabis altogether.
Cannabis had been illegal in the United Kingdom since 1929. Possession of the drug carries a maximum five-year prison sentence, and possession with intent to supply has a hefty fourteen-year prison sentence attached to it. So, by no means is cannabis treated “lightly” by the authorities.
Many arguments have been put forward to legalise cannabis. Here I will take a look at some of the more popular arguments.
Positives
Taxes- many states in north America have legalised cannabis and this have raised a considerable amount of money for local government. According to the institute for economic research, the UK could potentially raise up to £900m annually, as a result of legalisation.
Vs alcohol- many who champion the use of cannabis regularly say that its safer than drinking alcohol. This theory is hard to prove either way as, significant research hasn’t been done. According to the journal scientific reports alcohol is 114 times deadlier than cannabis. And goes on to say that cannabis is the safest drug on the market. The report authors obviously studied cannabis as well as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, tobacco, ecstasy and crystal meth. [1]
Less addictive – one study in the united states argues that cannabis is less harmful than coffee! according to a paper in science 2.0 caffeine ticks as many boxes for drug abuse as cannabis. Again, as in the previous paragraph the evidence seems lacking, and further conclusive study’s need to be undertaken.
Public opinion- as we live in, I would argue quite liberal times. The public perception has perhaps changed on drugs, notably cannabis. “weed” certainly doesn’t have the same stigma and stereotypes as it once did. Say, the 1970s for example. According to a major survey conducted by YouGov, forty-eight per cent of participants are in favour of legalising cannabis for recreational use, this figure is up on previous polls. [2]
Portugal’s example – prior to 2001, the drug problem in Portugal was at epidemic proportions. Crime rates were soaring and the country was in crisis. The Portuguese government took a radical step, and decriminalised all drugs. Granted, this is a bold move. However, the policy makers and public health officials didn’t think they had any other viable options. Portugal’s radical decision to decriminalise the possession of drugs, has seen changes to the country, to unprecedented levels. Now, there are fewer addicts, and the crime rate has significantly dropped.
Negatives
It would create more addicts – this argument seems to be one of the more popular arguments gathering pace, against cannabis use. Popular think tank, the centre for social justice says, the legalisation of cannabis could potentially create more users and thus more addicts [3]
Health risks – as cannabis is smoked, that in itself poses a risk to your physical health, just as smoking a cigarette would, according to the NHS. (birminghammail.co.uk).
The NHS also points out that cannabis also produces a raised heart rate, blood pressure changes, and sometimes co-ordination. Leaving driving a questionable issue. Physical symptoms aren’t the only issue. Cannabis can affect your mental health, according to the NHS [4]
Short term problems associated with cannabis use include, paranoia, and panic attacks. It’s also argued that cannabis can exacerbate a pre-existing problem, such as schizophrenia.
Since the 1990s cannabis has become stronger, more potent. As its stronger the adverse side effects will become even stronger. The stronger type is known as “skunk”. The NHS believe that this stronger version will have dangerous side effects. There is some anecdotal evidence of this, however, its very hard to pinpoint cannabis as the main contributor.
Gateway drug – the idea of cannabis being a gateway drug to other substances isn’t a new argument. In fact, its arguably the biggest concern many have around cannabis use.
Several studies have been conducted on this topic. In 2016 a three-year report went on to say, cannabis users are three times more likely to have alcohol issues within three years of taking cannabis [5]
A similar study conduced a year before found that 50% of cannabis users went on to take other illicit drugs. That particular study didn’t mention over what time frame those results were calculated.
Many studies like these ones exist. In general, they all point in the same direction, which is that cannabis is a gateway drug. And most people go on to try other drugs.
Conclusion
It must be said that trying other drugs doesn’t mean addiction and dependency. For the UK to introduce new laws on cannabis for recreational use, it would need to be very bold and forward thinking. Yes, the united states by large have legalised cannabis, and in truth we do follow on what the U.S. usually does. That being said, the U.K. government seems to be very apprehensive on the cannabis issue. Despite the ongoing public support, and some high-profile scientific support.
Bibliography
[1] metro news
[2] The Independent
[3] theweek.co.uk
[4] birminghammail.co.uk
[5] verywellmind.co.uk
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