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Original poster

Weed and the uk law

75 replies

changedforonenightonly · 01/03/2023 22:16

Inspired by an ongoing thread.

In your opinion and on your experiences should cannabis be illegal to grow, sell or consume.

My view is yes to all. With restrictions. Happy to be told I am wrong.

I don't know what they would look like but yes in general as I believe it's less harmful than alcohol.

I speak as a person who is a consumer on a weekend. Not every weekend and maybe once a month but yes a consumer.

I'd like quality checks. I'd be prepared to pay tax on this like alcohol.

OP posts:
Heytheredaisy · 01/03/2023 22:34

I live in the US in one of the states where it is legal for recreational use. The advantage to going into a shop that specializes in weed is that you know exactly what you're getting and what the THC content is. It's not going to be laced with who-knows-what

Yep this makes me feel better! Thanks for posting. Only took 10 mins to calm my fears. 🤣

Original poster
changedforonenightonly · 01/03/2023 22:34

XenoBitch · 01/03/2023 22:30

Have been in the mental health system and seen the fall out from cannabis use.
Everyone claims it is not addictive... it fucking is.

I agree. Whether it is illegal or legal your still dealing with it.

OP posts:
WalkAwaySugarbear · 01/03/2023 22:37

Did anyone else get their reply hidden until MNHQ looked at it? I didn't think I'd posted anything too offensive?

goneanonymous · 01/03/2023 22:42

I get it on prescription and I think it's marvellous. More people should be able to access it this way then people have much better info about what they are getting, county lines/people trafficking is taken out of the equation and there is regulation and more work for British farmers!

I have a lot of pain due to inflammatory arthritis and whilst I don't have the miraculous cure I was looking for I have reduced the amount of 'regular' prescription medication I take (which had much worse side effects) and I've stopped drinking which is huge and must be way better for me than anything else.

Findyourneutralspace · 01/03/2023 22:45

I think a lot of this argument comes down to how legal and acceptable alcohol is. If it was new today, of course it would be illegal. Everyone here knows someone whose life has been destroyed by it, whether that’s death, neglect, violence or general shitty behaviour.
Weed is the other side of the coin. It’s illegal so many people are protected from it’s dark side. Many casual users get away unscathed, like booze, but there are times when it becomes destructive - like any mind altering drug (alcohol included).
The biggest issues with weed are often the criminality involved - the exploitation of people in the production and supply chain and so on, which make bad things happen to vulnerable people. Would legalising it get rid of that? Probably, but more people would then be exposed to the darker side of weed use, psychosis, dependence etc.
Its not as straightforward as ‘a stoned person is more harmless than a pissed person’.

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 01/03/2023 22:47

Personally I would ban alcohol as well as drugs such as weed, only having it available for strictly controlled medical reasons.

Don't mind me though, I know I'm in a minority.

MaidOfSteel · 01/03/2023 22:50

I'd like to try it to help manage my pain problems but don't want to be arrested!
Wouldn't it be too complicated to get it all regulated? And surely unregistered producers would still be there, trying to undercut prices & standards?

ItWillWash · 01/03/2023 22:50

I would decriminalize all drugs. The harder stuff eg cocaine, heroin, crack, etc I would make only available via a registered supplier with a medical background.

Weed should be sold in dispensaries and legalized to grow for personal use.

The biggest issue with drugs is the crime associated with them. Decriminalizing it would remove most of that as well as ensure the drugs are pure and not cut with rat poison.

PenguinsandHippos · 01/03/2023 22:58

I think weed plays a huge part in the growing numbers of people with mental health difficulties. I’ve seen the impact on close friends, some with very significant and destructive results, others more moderate.

I also don’t believe that legalisation would eliminate the issues with modern shavers, crime, trafficking etc. It’s big business and gangs aren’t going to give up that revenue and revert to wholesome activities just because you can buy a spliff in Tesco instead. You only need to look at the continuing availability of illegal tobacco to know that having a legal version doesn’t eliminate the criminal issues.

Alcohol obviously has its own issues, but I don’t really think they’re relevant to the debate around drug safety. Each substance should be considered on its own, rather than comparatively.

Original poster
changedforonenightonly · 01/03/2023 22:59

XenoBitch · 01/03/2023 22:30

Have been in the mental health system and seen the fall out from cannabis use.
Everyone claims it is not addictive... it fucking is.

It is addictive to some yes absolutely

OP posts:
Onesailwait · 01/03/2023 22:59

Absolutely it should. It is legal where I live. I can go to my local dispensary & tell them what kind of high I'm looking for. I can choose a lowish dose sativa gummy (around 5/10 mg) if I want an up high , perfect if I'm doing my housework or heading out on a hike. If I want to chill out & sink into the couch I can get a great indica pre roll. I know where it's come from & where the money is going. Only downside is the amount of tax added.

GoAgainstNicki · 01/03/2023 23:03

If alcohol is legal then weed should also be legal. I don’t think people realise just how much damage alcohol causes to peoples lives yet weed is the bad guy

XenoBitch · 01/03/2023 23:06

GoAgainstNicki · 01/03/2023 23:03

If alcohol is legal then weed should also be legal. I don’t think people realise just how much damage alcohol causes to peoples lives yet weed is the bad guy

Yeah, and so should heroin, cocaine etc too.
Yes, alcohol causes damage. Making weed legal wont change that. You just end up adding another problem to the mix.

Comefromaway · 01/03/2023 23:09

MaidOfSteel · 01/03/2023 22:50

I'd like to try it to help manage my pain problems but don't want to be arrested!
Wouldn't it be too complicated to get it all regulated? And surely unregistered producers would still be there, trying to undercut prices & standards?

You can now buy cbd oil products. Dd uses it for pain relief from a chronic condition. It has the benefits of cannabis but without they thc (the thing that gives you a high)

Dodgeitornot · 01/03/2023 23:10

No I don't agree. I feel your opinion would be very different if you spent a week shadowing in mental health provisions.
It is also, absolutely a gateway drug.

Dodgeitornot · 01/03/2023 23:11

They'd also have to make some sort of no smell variety because the current stuff reaks.

Goawayangryman · 01/03/2023 23:12

I can't decide on this one. I think it probably should be decriminalised as I can't see any other meaningful way to tackle the modern slavery aspects, or the gangland connections and international exploitation. However I think the effects on developing brains are a worry.

That particular problem seems to have come about from breeding pure THC only strains without the counterbalancing CBD/CBN. But if you mandated only lower THC strains for sale, then you would not remove all of the market because some would probably choose the moonshine super skunk over the dispensary product.

Tough one.

QueenCamilla · 01/03/2023 23:13

Maybe. If someone finally creates a strain that does not reek like dung everywhere.

The fact that CBD helps someone with pain, has nothing in common with the strong THC weed everyone smokes these days. It's nasty stuff. And the THC levels have not gone down in places where weed is legal.

I take prescribed Speed - amphetamine. It helps me. But I have enough brain cells left not to think that amphetamines should be freely available in the corner shop. There is something very self-absorbed about marihuana users to incessantly push their drug of choice.

I've known weed addicts. A weed addict never knows anyone addicted though 🙄

The stink though... 🤢

Gingerkittykat · 01/03/2023 23:19

MaidOfSteel · 01/03/2023 22:50

I'd like to try it to help manage my pain problems but don't want to be arrested!
Wouldn't it be too complicated to get it all regulated? And surely unregistered producers would still be there, trying to undercut prices & standards?

There are a number of clinics which can give you a private prescription for cannabis. I looked into it and Saphire would cost around £150 per month so it will be out of the range of many people. The clinic write to your GP for a brief overview of your medical history and then if you are approved their Drs prescribe and monitor it.

Gingerkittykat · 01/03/2023 23:21

I would legalise cannabis for personal use but not dealing or growing. So many people smoke it that it seems it would be better to just make it legal and regulated.

XenoBitch · 01/03/2023 23:23

I've known weed addicts. A weed addict never knows anyone addicted though 🙄

Yes, this!
The weed addicts I know are very vocal about 420 etc. It is a lifestyle. They also smoke it to the point they melt into their sofa and are boring as hell to anyone listening to them.
Been out with blokes like that, and had mates like that. They are absolutely addicted.

Original poster
changedforonenightonly · 01/03/2023 23:29

XenoBitch · 01/03/2023 23:23

I've known weed addicts. A weed addict never knows anyone addicted though 🙄

Yes, this!
The weed addicts I know are very vocal about 420 etc. It is a lifestyle. They also smoke it to the point they melt into their sofa and are boring as hell to anyone listening to them.
Been out with blokes like that, and had mates like that. They are absolutely addicted.

They are addicted.

My own experience is that if my DH has a drink, I have a couple of pulls on a joint and eat crisp and vienetta. Not every day. Not every weekend.

You shouldn't drink every day and you shouldn't smoke weed everyday.

Everything in moderation.

OP posts:
Palmfrond · 01/03/2023 23:37

Have a look at how things have gone where recreational cannabis is legal. Very mixed results!
Personally I smoke it infrequently and what I smoke is always low THC strains grown by myself in my garden and, frankly, I’m perfectly happy for it to remain illegal.
It seems to be, for young people in particular, a more common drug of chronic abuse/addiction than alcohol, but it passes under the radar because of outdated “chilled out hippy” perceptions of it.

nevertakeadvicefromsomeonewhosfallingapart · 01/03/2023 23:38

I agree, it should be legal and standardised. If it can be bought from somewhere safe, the quality will be better.

Icedlatteplease · 01/03/2023 23:41

Nope. No way. no how.

The mental health implications would be awful. "It's legal so its safe isn't it?" Heard said by one of DDs friends who comes from a state where it is legal.

No it isn't safe. Cannabis induced psychosis is a massive massive problem.

It's a bit like saying let's legalise Russia roulette... after all some of the people who play it will be perfectly fine.

That and no I really don't want to be around it. Barcelona reeked of the stuff. It was not pleasant.

The legality or illegality of alcohol is a red herring. I'm not convinced either should be legal.