Similar stats have been found with alcohol during prohibition. And heroin when various nations started prescribing it to addicts.
People wanna get high or low, its not a bad or unnatural thing like most other crimes.
I mean even the tea totallers I know are genuinely hooked on religion instead.
Quote: sootyj @ June 30 2012, 7:55 AM BSTor are doing something quite harmless.
Reading the comments on here, you'd think that Chronic was a miracle cure for all of society's problems and that it was less harmful then drinking a cup of tea and less addictive then a plate of boiled cabbage.
If this is the case, then why has it been criminalised in so many countries? Why would all these governments with all their scientists outlaw something so beneficial?
There seems to be a massive disconnect between the proponents of legalisation and the medical evidence / social consequences of marijuana.
Not really.
And sorry... Governments know what they are doing? 
Quote: Marc P @ June 30 2012, 11:35 AM BSTNot really.
Get back in your Occupy tent you smelly hippy. 
I had a toke on a roll up the other week but that was the first for many years, and I was assured it was a straight. Been having funny dreams since mind and a craving for sandwiches!
Pregnant again Marc?
Quote: Shandonbelle @ June 30 2012, 11:51 AM BSTPregnant again Marc?
Again?! Christ Marc P, can't you keep your knees together for ten bleedin' seconds?
You disgust (and arouse) me.
It's all that sea air he gets.
I see Sheringham was nicely promoted in the new Partridge outing! 
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ June 30 2012, 11:33 AM BSTReading the comments on here, you'd think that Chronic was a miracle cure for all of society's problems and that it was less harmful then drinking a cup of tea and less addictive then a plate of boiled cabbage.
If this is the case, then why has it been criminalised in so many countries? Why would all these governments with all their scientists outlaw something so beneficial?
There seems to be a massive disconnect between the proponents of legalisation and the medical evidence / social consequences of marijuana.
Ok the number of current, former and occaisonal tokers in the UK stretches not merely in the millions. Into the 10s of millions. More to the point how many people do you actually know who never toked?
There is no plague of doped up neredowells or deaths.
Its a political thing.
Yes its harmful, but so's wanking, nose picking and DIY.
Control the strength and quality, outlaw the truly harmful versions and shock, horror watch as the health risks vanish.
In the UK the government is in the ridiculous position of trying to ban ever stronger and more dangerous "legal highs"
and mean time Khat which is reckoned to be as dangerous. Is cheerfully chewed all over the UK. With no massive intake
Quote: sootyj @ June 30 2012, 12:04 PM BSTYes its harmful, but so's wanking, nose picking and DIY.
That is why sootyj insists that every pilot, surgeon and child minder must smoke at least 10 spliffs a day.
THC is toxic, it is a poison, it is illegal because it is harmful in a variety of ways. Now, whether you agree with it's legality or not, it is generally not good for you.
I'm sure opium users at the end of the 19th century also put forward similar arguments to the beneficial nature of their addiction.
Canabis is very far from harmless; not much in life that is pleasurable is. But because it is pleasurable demand exists, demand will always be met. Outlawing pleasures just puts those who wish to partake in them at the mercy of criminals, and exposes them to further criminality. Without drugs and prostitution organised crime would not be a globalised industry.
You can argue whether regulation or prohibition are more effective at addressing the public health issues, but it is the crime associated with the drugs industry that is the real social ill.
Legalising and regulating would allow legitimate outlets to undercut the criminals forcing them to turn their attention elsewhere, while reaching out to abusers to bring them into the social health net and at the same time reducing the incentive for them to commit crime to feed their habit.
Taxing is not part of the solution, as has been demonstrated with tobacco and alcohol, where repeated above inflation tax hikes have reduced the percentage tax take by creating a huge demand for illicit fags and booze, with increased health risks compared to the taxed brands.
Quote: Tursiops @ June 30 2012, 12:22 PM BSTTaxing is not part of the solution, as has been demonstrated with tobacco and alcohol, where repeated above inflation tax hikes have reduced the percentage tax take by creating a huge demand for illicit fags and booze, with increased health risks compared to the taxed brands.
Well said. I am in total agreement with this bit.
Now, if only you could find a way for drug dealers to not hang around the legitimate outlets offering harder wares to brain dead pot heads.