to wonder when it became acceptable for role models to sing the praises of marijuana and psychedelics?

[Namechangethisevening]

Thinking specifically of prince Harry advertising constantly how great marijuana and psychedelics have been for his mental health. But there are other celebs doing this too.

Surely people in the public eye have a responsibility not to spout this?

Illegal drugs are 1. Illegal and 2. Associated with exacerbation of symptoms such as paranoia (Harry take note) in those with MH probs or prone to them.

How on earth is it considered ok for people who some see as role models, to be spouting the virtues of breaking the law and exacerbating MH issues?

And Harry for one claims to be a bit of a MH guru?

I do think there are some public figures though, especially those spouting MH advice, that should set a better example. H being one

This is a bit like complaining that Boris Johnson lies about stuff or Owen Jones isn't nice to women.

Harry's public behaviour has always been self-indulgent and pathetic. Singling out the fact he's also a druggie seems pointless.

Anyone taking MH advice from Harry is in dire straits.

I think if you take actual advice and follow it through from a celebrity then what on earth do people expect?

Just because someone says something doesn't make it a great idea

Are people allowed to use their own brains these days?

Jeez, that's a shame, he seemed Nice!!

OP you're going to be livid when you find out about The Beatles.

When did it become acceptable?

About 1967. Earlier if you include things like Jazz, Blues, Country & Western or Rhythm n Blues. Where have you been?

Let's think - Turn on, tune in, drop out was a bit earlier. If we look at music over the next five years or so, you have the Beatles with pretty much everything, Velvet Underground with Heroin, Jefferson Airplane with White Rabbit, Brown Sugar, Our Generation, Sister Morphine, Cocaine, Magic Carpet Ride, Pusherman, Needle and the Damage is Done, Sweet Leaf, One Toke Over the Line, Mother's Little Helper...

Even the show the magic roundabout or was it song, I'm not sure was based drugs etc

If people care about the effects substances have, then why is booze still legal ?

My one contribution would be that my DB did similar - ie cannabis & not sure what else and had a psychotic episode where he disappeared ( literally - no - one knew where he was ) for a decade. He is fine now , more than fine but it took some medication and therapy to get him back on track . It was a thing for my family - but luckily we are at the other end of it.

So I think my point is - in no way am I saying Harry is the same - but self medication is not always the way to go.

Sorry - just a thing which for me is a bit of a point -H causally saying cannabis and other drugs are helpful when you want to escape / forget things brings this to mind I am not sure is helpful when spoken to the wider world - but I tell the story above for context - it resonates with me more than I suspect most - I may be wrong.

For me, the issue isn't the drugs, it's the illegality and that by promoting it you're encouraging people to fund county lines etc.

If weed was available from some accredited hippy local farm with a Red Tractor equivalent that guaranteed quality and lack of modern slavery I'd be all for it. But the fact is that the illegality of drugs means buying them funds pain even if it doesn't personally harm you.

@BasiliskStare I sadly have experienced the same with cannabis triggering a psychotic episode that was terrifying in my ex husband

But... I use it myself to help with pain for a chronic illness, have a friend who functions through Tourette's by using and know countless others who are being helped by it

There's no denying in a small group of people it's extremely dangerous but then alcohol is perfectly socially acceptable, legal and doing long term liver damage is a huge amount more people and I'd rather take my chances on cannabis than some of the prescribed medication I'm given for pain, that nobody would tell me not to take but is damaging my liver and stomach and also more addictive

Legalising it should be done. It breaks my heart that I'm funding crime using and I don't disagree with that at all

Unfortunately getting medical cannabis isn't happening and there are still doctors out there who treat you like an addict if you admit you even find holland and barratt cbd oil mildly useful 🙄 but have no problem with giving me morphine etc

@mycatisaloveabledemon - I hope you did not take my post amiss. It was just to say I do have a very direct experience of use of cannabis caused or perhaps exacerbated ) a very severe problem with my brother. I don't want to criticise others for things which are helping them - not my place to . it was rather to say I am not sure widely ie world wide promoting cannabis and other ( mainly illegal ) drugs is responsible or helpful - but you see why I am saying this .

I wish you very well
Basilisk x

Not amiss at all. It shouldn't be dismissed that in a certain group of people it is extremely dangerous

Or that it funds and fuels crime being illegal

Thank goodness alcohol is completely non-addictive, harmless to health and is incapable of ruining your life eh...

There is an awful lot of positive outcomes from research into drug use to remap pathways in the brain in mental illness.

Perhaps research Instead of a blanket statement. Just because something is illegal doesn't mean it can't have benefits

Seriously? He has a Netflix series. He's on talk shows. His recent memoir has sold 1.43 million copies... So, yes, kind of in the public eye.

Actually, a lot of researchers, scientists, doctors etc are finding that psychedelics are incredibly effective in treating certain conditions. More so than many other drugs. I find it terrifying that some countries offer dignitas before they will consider even thinking about psychedelic therapy. And yes I speak as someone who had taken LSD many a time until I had my son and ended up a lone parent without the time anymore. It really changed my life, it is a pretty ethical drug, I didn't hurt anyone. Was supervised the whole time. Judge away I don't really care.

Harry is just telling “his truth” OP.

😂😂😂

I'm with you OP. It's infuriating to see this ignorant man spouting his nonsense.
Other members of the Riyal Family work with drug charities and may have a more informed view. Iirc Princess Diana did - I doubt she would approve of her son extolling the joys of illegal drug use.

Prince Harry's words will cause huge harm, says DR MAX PEMBERTON
mol.im/a/11823945

As for other celebrities - people who wouldn't dream of eating a factory farmed egg and yet who cheerfully indulge in cocaine ignorant and uncaring of the damage it does from crime to harm to the Amazon rainforest and the people who live there. What idiots.

I'd love the job of drugs Tsar. I'd introduce random testing in the workplace (as happens at my DH's workplace for operational reasons)) and have those that failed enrolled in rehabilitation programmes. And for every Kate Moss casualty snorting cocaine - there are twenty other pretty girls who would live the opportunity to step into her shoes. I'd make sure advertisers didn't use known drug users. It should be socially unacceptable, just like drink driving.

As for PP cheerfully mentioning the joys of ketamine - have you not heard of ketamine bladder?

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4544340/

I've seen a young person whose bladder capacity is reduced to 50mls.
Severe damage cannot be reversed and ultimately may require major reconstructive surgery such as total cystectomy and creation of an i leak conduit.
I've chatted to one of our urologist last about it and he tells me it is on the increase.

Plenty of other reasons to stay away from ketamine too.

www.uk-rehab.com/drug-addiction/ketamine/the-dangers-of-ketamine-bladder-syndrome/

"The negative effects of ketamine abuse are less well known than the negative impact of drugs like heroin, which could mean that many assume that this substance is relatively safe. The reality is that even using this substance once could have severe negative consequences. Side effects like ketamine bladder syndrome make this a very dangerous drug and more needs to be done to publicise the risks associated with using it."

Alcohol is far worse than a bit of weed yet you aren't taxing yourself about celebs drinking

Role model 😂

Are you Hyacith Bucket OP??

You absolutely can get medical cannabis in the UK, you just need to go private. Google medical cannabis clinic. You need to have tried other treatments first and then you have a video consultation with a doctor who gives you a prescription. You have a follow up appointment every 3 months. You then get a monthly delivery of good quality ethically sourced cannabis with a known quantity of THC/CBD.