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?

So they might be illegal but they help many people with different illnesses and that is their experience so who's to say they are wrong for sharing ? Obviously you are but freedom of speech is a thing and maybe you need to stop being so narrow minded and realise drugs can help people !

I mean he’s not a role model in my opinion. And he’s just sharing his view. There’s growing evidence of benefits of those drugs for physical and medical conditions-and those drugs cause far less societal damage than alcohol and obesity.

Cannabis is a recognised medicine in many parts of the world, including the UK. You can actually be prescribed it by a UK doctor, under extremely rare circumstances. MDMA and psilocybin are recognised for trauma treatments in Australia and favourable trials have been carried out worldwide. It's Britain that's backward on this one.

He was doing it for his mental health wasn't he? I haven't read his book but understood he took ayahuasca for trauma. It's legal in some places, I don't know where he took it. Many veterans take ayahuasca for PTSD.

Just last week three different IV drug users needed treatment in my department. All a mess of infection, abscesses and wounds that aren't healing.

Cannabis is a well known gateway drug.

I'm shocked how many people think this is all harmless and a matter of choice.

If the USA refuse to let Harry back in next time he leaves or visits the U.K. on grounds if him being a drug user I shall have a hearty laugh.

Many people grow their own. By definition you wouldn't know that.

If you look for hydroponics stores near you, you'd be surprised. Not everyone is growing chillies.

All medicines have side effects.

If you knew what benzodiazepines can do, you'd ban them tomorrow.

Believe you, me, it's easier to grow your own.

It wouldn't be a "gateway drug" if it was legal because there would be no need to mix with dodgy people with access to IV drugs to buy it.

There is also no evidence that cannabis causes people to take harder drugs or that people who take them always start with cannabis. People who indulge in risky behaviour tend to escalate, it doesn't mean the lower risk thing they start with caused the behaviour.

I'm not sure it is worth it financially though, the initial outlay for the equipment and the electricity for the fans and the lights is not cheap. DPs prescription costs less than buying it on the streets, but growing your own can be a nice relaxing hobby.

Harry is a total idiot, reckless and needs a stern word. His pompous sharing of his truth and assumptions that what he says is correct are damaging. A psychiatrist remarked of his comments around drug use:

"The Duke of Sussex has forfeited any right he might have had to be seen as a credible representative for mental health charities.
Ayahuasca causes paranoia and panic attacks which can do lasting mental damage – quite aside from its unpleasant physical side effects, which include vomiting and diarrhoea. Harry’s twee description of it as a windscreen wiper for the mind is a complete and utter embarrassment.
The kindest interpretation of his comments is that he’s been seduced by the fashionability of the drug, which is popular among the trendy middle classes.
He is promoting yet another quack therapy. His vacuous, self-satisfied waffle only goes to show what a sheltered life he leads.
He imagines he is a spokesman for his generation.....ongoing"

He is a turnip. William must be astounded at his younger brother's stupidity but more importantly disgusted at his lack of thought for anyone but himself. Totally selfish.

Are you actually a HCP? Because you are properly ignorant about cause and effect:

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.

Such a lot of cobblers. I've worked in treatment and mandatory drug programs have an almost 100% failure rate.

If you did that @ShamedBySiri all you'd have is a lot of unemployed drugs users either committing crime or engaged in prostitution to fund it.

Brilliant plan.