This is probably only because junkies that use cannabis have figured out that if they are classed as having "mental health" problems, they'll be eligible for a very high rate of Disability Living Allowance.

Why work when you can be a well paid junkie.

#1, Why work when you can be a well paid junkie?, you ask. I don't know, why not tell us. :-))

Yet another reefer madness story about cannabis.We must really put this in perspective.The number of people reporting such problems is a little under 900 mostly young kids with a heavy and sustained relationship to cannabis.Now look at alcohol 8,000 people died in 2005 with alcohol related dieseses according to the office of national statistics.Cannabis has never directly killed anyone I wonder if you could say that twice to get it through to the knee jerk moral hysteria that is engendered by the press Cannabis has never ever directly killed anyone.I can buy 2 bottles of vodka from the off license and probably kill myself I could eat a ruck sack of cannabis and not die.136,000 in longterm care with mental health problems related to alcohol

THe fact is as underlined by the goverments pushed under the table report of March this year chaired by the vice chair of the British medical council that cannabis is a significantly less dangerous drug than alcohol.

Legalise,regulate for strength,quality and purity and sell/tax only to bona fide adults over 21

CANNABIS A SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO ALCOHOL FOR ADULTS

John-boi,

you're absolutely correct, in the overall view, but at an individual level it doesn't matter whether your brain's messed up through this, or that, or the other drug.

I've been told for years by folks like you that cannabis is fine to use and then I had to watch three kids I know completely sod their lives up smoking it.

But the reality of it is we will never eradicate drugs (alcohol included) and attempts to try often lead to unregulated availability with all the associated crime and other problems. Legalising cannabis is probably the best answer - but don't pretend it's harmless, because it's not. Believe me I've seen it first hand.

Do they ever mention how many of these cases other drugs were also involved and how many of the patients actually admit to using other drugs. How many of these were mixing alchohol and smoking. Strange that it does such bad things but to date there is still not 1 case of cannabis overdose causing death to human beings. I also doubt very much that it can be proven to cause psycosis (spelling?). But it is a scapegoat

3# john-Boi. You sum it up perfectly....drink is the real killler in destroying the lives of indiviuals and families and costing a fortune into the bargain in jail time rehab etc etc....you'll never stop it so I see the only solution as education....I've never seen anyone violent on cannabis...whereas drink is behind almost every act of violence perpetrated.

albanach - they may not have been violent but don't pretend cannabis is innocuous 'cos it ain't. Seen it with my own eyes.

lives are ruined by irresponsible use of drugs and alcohol. the problem is those, youngsters especially, who use these do so to escape from their reality-whatever that may be. it feels good so they continue, then can't do without, then need even more, then try something else etc etc-i have seen it too.

don't know anyone who used drugs in their youth, even irregularly who now thinks it is a good thing. younger and younger kids having problems-look for the reasons, not just focus on their attempt at solutions by intoxication of whatever kind.

it has now moved into a mainstream in some areas, and making it sound safer than alcohol does not help. neither will legalising it-part of the thrill is that it is illegal-they will only look for the harder stuff to get their kicks.

#2 Conan. I was talking about the attitude of the junkies, as you well know.

#8 Been smokin' for 27 years and it hasn't done me any harm. Would rather see kids chillin' with a spliff than going rage on alcohol!

#9 - sorry Guga, old chap - I misunderstood. Perhaps is we get to know each other better this would not happen?