Cannabis should not be decriminalised - AIBU?

I agree. I’m tired of people saying it’s ‘just’ weed. everyone I know who smokes weed it has given them mental health issues, made them have really bad anger issues and it’s impacted their family life, social life, career, they’ve become lazy, impacted their fiannces - the list goes on.

I dated someone who was a severe cannabis user. When it went to family court I listed how it affected him and our child and despite it being proven (police reports of abuse and he failed multiple drug tests) courts said it was just cannabis and it wasn’t an issue. He would become a vegetable when he smoked, completely incapable of looking after himself and when he didn’t smoke, he would have withdrawals - he would become so angry and abusive. He would smoke so he wouldn’t work, and it ended up causing financial abuse too as all my wages would be going on him and his drug habit.

People who say it’s ‘only’ weed either smoke it themselves and don’t see the issue or they have never seen it first hand from a partner or a loved one. It doesn’t just ruin the life of the individual but it affects the people surrounding them too.

OK, I'll bite as I can see HAs and "enforcement" mentioned a few times..

I'm an ASB officer for a VERY large HA. We cover the whole of England.

I've worked this role for oooh, 20 years, give or take.

Cannabis smoking is our 3rd biggest report type, after verbal abuse and noise.

You know how many people I have evicted just for smoking cannabis......0.

Why?

Because HAs cannot evict their own residents, only a court can do that. That person could break every single section of their tenancy agreement, pay £0 rent and still unless a Judge agrees that person keeps their home. (There are mandatory possession grounds here, but cannabis smoking wouldn't apply)

I have secured evictions when that person is doing other ASB which is evidenced, but how do you evidence a smell? We rely on police finding the drugs, testing the drugs and convicting them in court for possession.

I did think I had a slam dunk case once. Up North in Derby, block of 6 flats. 1 prolific cannabis smoker. Perfectly polite resident but smoked like a chimney. 5 complainants, detailed diaries from each of dates/times they smoked it. Police issued CPWs (never found actual drugs but could smell it). 6 months of reports, cannabis smoker never, ever engaged with me..

So, I thought fuck it. Completed a proportionality assessment and served a NOSP. Breached NOSP so sent to court. 4 residents attended to give evidence, perp turned up, said he smokes it to "relax".

Judge turned to me and said "MrsMoose are you seriously suggesting I should make this person homeless, and unable to access ongoing housing purely because he is creating a bad smell"

"No Judge, I am asking for possession of the property because he is in breach of his tenancy, smoking an illegal substance and having a detrimental effect on his neighbours ability to enjoy their homes"

Judge responds "MrsMoose, I do not agree that a smell is enough to warrant making someone homeless. If the witnesses here don't like the smell, tell them to open their windows. Case dismissed. Costs to be paid by the Claimant"

So, we lost AND had to pay the dope heads legal fees.

Of course, very few Judges live in an area where prolific cannabis smoking is likely to be an issue..

But now, my HA will not enforce cannabis smoking unless it's linked to other ASB..

What we're seeing much more of now is young teenagers, mostly male, around 12-16yo getting involved with gangs and smoking cannabis. Their behaviour is vile, social services try to intervene but the family and teen doesn't engage properly and eventually it escalates until that teen does something serious. One particular case springs to mind where the boy stabbed a rival on a bus.

For HAs it's not just "sue" or "enforce". The legal system in this country is complex and HAs are required now under govt legislation to always be working to MAINTAIN tenancies, not applying for evictions.. it has to be some serious ASB to consider evictions and smoking cannabis is not that.

Believe me, it annoys me having to tell complainants this and directing them to the police reporting websites instead (knowing police won't do anything) but other than sending a letter saying we've had a report your smoking cannabis, please stop, there is little else a HA can do as the power lies with an outdated court system.

Annoyingly, inhalation is the best delivery route - the feedback is almost immediate and so you can stop the moment you feel the effects.

Interestingly (and not unnoticed by the medical community who won't publicise the fact) the analgesic and anti anxiety effects are distinct - and clearly so - from the psychoactive effects. Which in laymans terms means the "high" is separate to whatever it is that relieves pain.

Many years ago, there was an excellent article in a medical journal asking why is was such a bad thing that getting high was so bad when compared to some of the serious and potentially life threatening side effects of other medicines ? Which is ironic as one use of cannabis medically (legal or illegal) is as an anti emetic for patients on chemotherapy. It concluded with the reflection that it was luck insulin didn't produce a high, or diabetics would die.

I'm making my next batch of brownies right now.

I very rarely drink, but I do love a brownie in the evening & it really helps keep meno symptons at bay & I sleep really well.

What happened in USA was many moved over to becoming legit sellers. I think Snoop Dog makes more $$ from weed now its legal than music.

There are people in UK who are very prepared to switch to a legal business model when it's possible.

I’m sure the criminals will just throw their hands in the air and quit dealing.

Apparently, their role might be overstated:

https://axial.acs.org/organic-chemistry/the-surprising-science-behind-cannabis-aromas

Terpenes. Although they were hardly hiding.

Not everyone wants to live in an addiction economy

The world has never worked any other way.

See also McDonald's, KFC, pubs, off licences, UPF companies etc etc 🤷‍♂️

Not everyone wants to live in a nanny state and would rather make their own decisions.

I’m sure the criminals will just throw their hands in the air and quit dealing.

It's a 'gateway drug' because it's traded by criminals always happy to expand their business. Legalise it. Tax it. Take the business model away, crime will drop, tax will increase, prisons will cease to be so overcrowded. Madness to leave this criminal activity to thrive with little intervention.

So it’s ok for the rich to get richer while the poor experience the ill effects?

I'm a medical patient ( prescribed oil, gummies and flower) and I find it still takes quite a while to get pain and nausea relief from the oil personally but it is a bit quicker than gummies.
The portable dry herb vaporizer I have doesn't produce big clouds of vapour, although I can't comment on other models used.
I actually hate vaping in public. I've not heard anyone comment on the smell but I'm always worried about it - even though it's legal. Not everyone knows that it is legal, sadly including some police officers.

"As long as we have the NHS it doesn't make sense health-wise."

The NHS prescribes medical marijuana. Although sadly most of the medical marijuana grown in UK gets exported. Theresa May's husband made a fortune out of his company which grows & exports medical marijuana.

I see what you mean
what about oil under the tongue like how CBD oil works ?
The dry herb vape sounds better than the spliff though
But only for people who need it for medicinal purposes
As vape plumes are also a bit of a blight on our streets and pub beer gardens etc

"As long as we have the NHS it doesn't make sense health-wise."

The NHS prescribes medical marijuana. Although sadly most of the medical marijuana grown in UK gets exported. Theresa May's husband made a fortune out of his company which grows & exports medical marijuana.

There's a flat near me that stinks of it 24/7, would be interested to know how they afford it (the weed and the flat) given they don't appear to work or indeed do anything beyond standing outside on the phone in flip flops with a can of monster.