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Original poster

Is there a feminist position on legality of cannabis?

46 replies

fayyive · 21/03/2015 20:15

A Google search brings up a surprisingly number of results. Most seem in favour for reasons including relief of menstruation discomfort (Queen Victoria allegedly used cannabis for this), to aid recovery of rape survivors, and to break the stereotype of recreational cannabis use being a "guy thing".

Opinions?

OP posts:
RudyMentary · 22/03/2015 07:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 22/03/2015 07:52

I have a view regarding legalisation of cannabis but it's unrelated to my feminism.

YonicScrewdriver · 22/03/2015 07:49

I also don't think that if two things are harmful, but only one is currently illegal, that's sufficient argument to make that one legal.

Fay, if you have a minute, could you pop back to your lecturer thread to update?

Jackieharris · 22/03/2015 07:41

Cannabis may not make people violent but there are many other forms of abuse that cause harm to women.

I've seen 'stoner boyfriends' ruin women's lives.

There's also the mental health aspect. It has been shown that cannabis use (especially in adolescence) increases the risk of later depression. This isn't something to be taken lightly. People dont take mental illness seriously enough. Living with crippling depression isn't something to aspire to.

I don't see how there can ever be a feminist argument for the recreational use of cannabis when it causes so much harm both to the individual and society.

YonicScrewdriver · 22/03/2015 07:17

"I suspect one reason alcohol is legal is because it was, for many places through much of history, a safer way to take in liquids than untreated water."

This is what I meant by around for centuries. Normalised for centuries, if you prefer. Thanks Ebear.

HTH.

EBearhug · 22/03/2015 03:57

I suspect if alcohol (and tobacco) were to come on to the market for the first time now, they probably wouldn't be legal - although if that were to happen, we'd have a very different history and view of drugs entirely, so who knows. I suspect one reason alcohol is legal is because it was, for many places through much of history, a safer way to take in liquids than untreated water. Plus lots of people, including those in power, have enjoyed getting pissed together, because it does loosen inhibitions, thought there's also the increased risk of violence.

Drugs started to be regulated in the 19th century and regulation has mostly increased, except for alcohol. Can't remember about cannabis and how it was regarded prior to the 1971 misuse of drugs act - I know more about the history of opiates (regulated from 1860s onwards.) I do gave some books on it, but I've got other stuff to do tomorrow (which should include sleep...)

I do think alcohol should probably be less easily available than it currently is in Britain, more like it was in my childhood. I don't think I would have an issue with the legalisation (but with similar restrictions to alcohol) of cannabis, but it would be a politically suicidal move for any party in power to try to pass that.

But I don't think it's really got much to do with feminism.

Original poster
fayyive · 22/03/2015 02:31

So has cannabis and the use of it for recreational. Longer than centuries

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YonicScrewdriver · 21/03/2015 22:08

Because alcohol has been around for centuries, perchance?

Original poster
fayyive · 21/03/2015 22:02

Then how come cannabis isn't legal, and alcohol is?

I'll go have a look at the politics board as well

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PilchardPrincess · 21/03/2015 22:01

There have been a lot of drugs convos on politics and very interesting they were too, the ones I saw.

This thread feels a bit odd.

I don't think "let's legalise cannabis because stoned people don't go out much and so women will be safer when they walk alone at night" is really a go-er TBH.

YonicScrewdriver · 21/03/2015 21:54

Fay, I'm curious why you don't post in politics as well as FWR?

whatlifestylechoice · 21/03/2015 21:50

I don't have much of a problem with cannabis use in moderation. I don't see it as much different from having a glass of wine or three. And I knw a few people who do use it for pain relief, including my DP.

I don't see why feminism would have a position on it though. Smoking cannabis instead of drinking alcohol doesn't mean you are somehow safer if you have anger and violence issues. IME, those issues still exist no matter what you fuck your brain with.

Original poster
fayyive · 21/03/2015 21:46

"I mean stoned people don't tend to go out"

Which in a way makes cannabis even less of a threat to other members of the public is users want to stay at home.

"what did you think of the shenanigans with Prof Nutt, what about the global "war on drugs" "

tbh I think Prof. Nutt was sacked because he said things the Government just didn't want to hear, even if what he said was factual. And I think the global war on drugs in general is a bit of a failure and causing more problems than it solves. People who want drugs still get hold of drugs, but with more risk involved to everyone.

Portugal appears to have had some success with tolerating possession of small amounts of drugs and treating the issue as medical rather than criminal.

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Original poster
fayyive · 21/03/2015 21:42

I don't think cannabis has killed anyone directly. Consuming enough of it in a short enough time for it to be fatal would be virtually impossible.

But anyway, do you think it matters to women's safety what laws and regulations are in place regarding drugs?

One could very well just say "let's make them all illegal" but then you have the violence and problems created by the black market which would inevitably appear in response. Crime in the USA increased during their alcohol prohibition and the Mafia was making so much money and gaining power by smuggling in alcohol.

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PilchardPrincess · 21/03/2015 21:37

I mean stoned people don't tend to go out do they so you'd be better off with your "encounter in a dark alleyway" with reference to speed, coke or pills for eg.

PilchardPrincess · 21/03/2015 21:36

There are aspects of the drug trade / use / treatment of addicts that present issues with feminist dimensions but on the whole it's not something that's a feminist issue for me more than, well, anything else really.

I have my own views about drugs policy and so on, which are informed by other aspects of my beliefs.

This post seems unusual. Are you hoping to "convert" a bunch of people to the cause of legalising cannabis? Because that's what it reads like.

What are your views on other substances, what did you think of the shenanigans with Prof Nutt, what about the global "war on drugs" etc etc.

YonicScrewdriver · 21/03/2015 21:29

Thanks Jackie, well put.

Jackieharris · 21/03/2015 21:21

I think drug use in general is a feminist issue.

A significant amount of violence against women and children globally is caused by the drug trade.

The negative health effects of drugs tend to be stronger I women because we have smaller livers and less blood.

Also most research is conducted on males.

I don't think the inevitable comparing of cannabis to alcohol is helpful to any discussion. It should be judged on it's own benefits/risks. I think it's a really weak argument that's always trotted out that it's 'ok' because 'alcohol kills more people'. I've known people who have died because of alcohol but that doesn't change the fact that I've also seen lives destroyed by cannabis use. I wouldn't describe it as 'safe'. And I think anything which puts women's safety at risk is a feminist issue.

Original poster
fayyive · 21/03/2015 20:56

Which do you think would pose more risk/threat to a young woman walking alone at night?

A group of males drunk on super-strength lager.

Or a group of males stoned on cannabis.

IMO one group might be silly and immature at worst, and the other group might shout abuse or commit assault or sexual assault.

Alcohol is what causes so many people to get into fights and become violent, or get into bed with someone and not care about whether they give consent or not. Stoners are generally too relaxed for any of that and are more likely to just eat a bag of chips listening to music.

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YonicScrewdriver · 21/03/2015 20:27

No, I don't view cannabis through a feminist lens.

Any particular reason that you do?

Original poster
fayyive · 21/03/2015 20:19

And as for health concerns- cannabis is less addictive and less toxic than alcohol. Very frequent use of potent cannabis (sometimes called "skunk") is thought to create mental health issues but the same can also be said for alcoholics who drink far too much and too often. IMO it's all about using it responsibly.

Legalisation would also make the practice much safer as consumers would be able to buy cannabis which wasn't adulterated or contaminated with "fillers" and know the strength and potency of what they are buying (these are all risks created by criminalisation which puts regulation into the hands of criminals. And buying something from the black market one has no idea what they are gonna get).

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