England's Chief Doctor Admits Marijuana Use, Questions Drug Laws
Professor Dame Sally Davies says she’s tried cannabis before and believes criminalizing drug users is not a solution
TruthOnPot.com – England’s chief medical officer, Professor Dame
Sally Davies, made a few surprising remarks during an interview with BBC
Radio 3 last week.
Despite her current position as the most senior advisor on public
health, Professor Davies admitted to using cannabis recreationally a
couple times in college before stopping for good due to
“hallucinations,” reports Metro News.
“I never smoked so I couldn’t smoke joints but I did have
some cookies, until on the third or fourth occasion I had
hallucinations and I’ve never touched it since.”
While most doses of cannabis aren’t capable of causing hallucinations
– marijuana cookies can be quite strong compared to a traditional joint
– does such an extreme (and rare) side effect warrant criminalization
of those who use it?
Earlier this year, Davies made it clear that she doesn’t think so.
“I think we have a health problem, and we would do well
as a nation to look at is as a health problem. I think there’s quite a
lot of evidence from other countries, and science, about how you could
go about that.”
Indeed, in places like Amsterdam and Portugal
– where possession of marijuana and other prohibited drugs are overseen
by health bodies instead of justice departments – drug use and drug
related problems are actually lower compared to most countries in the
world.
Professor Davies acknowledged a British Medical Association report
which warned that harsh drug penalties were discouraging users to seek
medical help or advice, reports the Telegraph.
Unfortunately, she was discouraged from acting on her beliefs due to
pressure from the UK government to continue criminalizing drug use.
“I am watching the accumulation of evidence – the BMA
last week talking about the health harms and everything… But it’s not
high on my list of ‘to try and dos’ because I’ve got so much else and
the Coalition has not chosen to decriminalise it. If they chose to, we
will be ready with quite a lot of advice.”
Other health officials like Professor David Nutt have faced serious
consequences for straying too far from the government’s position.
Professor Nutt was removed as chairman of the government’s Advisory
Council on the Misuse of Drugs in 2009 after publicly criticizing the
decision to classify cannabis as a class B drug.
Uruguay: Sting and Richard Branson Accused of Using Nation as 'Laboratory' For Legalization
By Steve Elliott
Hemp News
Sting and Sir Richard Branson have been accused of using Uruguay as a
"laboratory" for marijuana legalization after backing a campaign to
regulate cannabis in the South American nation.
Uruguay looks to be a sure bet to become the first nation in the world the fully legalize marijuana, reports Tom Gardner at the Daily Mail.
The changes were set into motion after a campaign by the Drug Policy
Alliance (DPA), for which Sting and Branson are honorary international
board members.
The involvement of the America-based drug law reform organization is
being branded "meddling" by the Uruguayan opposition to cannabis
legalization, who are attempting to inculcate a backlash against the
planned changes.
Gerardo Amarilla of the opposition National Party accused the two
celebrities of risking the health of Uruguayans with their "meddling,"
and turning the entire country into a "laboratory" for reform. "They
should be meddling in Uruguay," Amarilla said.
"They should be lobbying in their own country because they're not
going to suffer the consequences here, the security and health
problems," Amarilla said, ignoring the fact that both men actually do
lobby in their own country for drug reform.
Amarilla claimed the Uruguayan government is "playing with fire"
given the supposed "health risks" of marijuana. He said most Uruguayans
were against legalization.
He claimed the government is underestimating the risk of marijuana,
which he called a "gateway drug" for other addictions that foster
violent crimes. (The "gateway theory" has long been debunked by science;
for example, see this article in Opposing Views.)
"Ninety-eight percent of those who are today destroying themselves with base cocaine began with marijuana," Amarilla claimed.
"While I am a member of the Drug Policy Alliance International
Honorary Board (In Formation), I am an active member of the Global
Commission on Drug Policy," Branson responded. "For the past few years
we have examined the war on drugs using a science-based approach.
"We feel strongly that it has failed and that there needs to be a
different approach," Branson said. "We believe drugs should be treated
as a health problem, not a criminal problem. This is a global problem,
not a national issue, and everyone who can should speak out to help
change the failed war on drugs."
Buyers in Uruguay would have be over 18 years old, and would be able
to grow up to six plants at home or buy up to 40 grams (1.4 ounces) a
month in government-licensed pharmacies. The government would be the
only entity allowed to sell cannabis.
In an effort to stop foreign drug tourists from flocking to Uruguay
to smoke marijuana, the legislation would restrict legal purchases to
Uruguayans.
(Photos: Daily Mail)
