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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Drug users don’t give any thought to who’s behind their next spliff

199 replies

StLevanBlackcaps · 03/04/2023 16:43

I’m sick of how common smoking weed has become - you literally smell it on every street and it’s seen as no big deal to participate despite it being illegal - lots of people seem to think it’s no different to having a glass of wine and the police couldn’t give a damn.

Yet behind the scenes you’ve got scum like Thomas Cashman and the gangs who run county lines praying on vulnerable kids and funding the sort of lifestyles that many people seem to aspire to - you only have to look at Cashman’s gf with her Botox and Range Rover and all the other proceeds of his disgusting ‘career’ choice.

AIBU to think drugs are drugs and if you choose to use them you’re as bad as the arseholes who supply them?

OP posts:
Thesharkradar · 05/04/2023 18:12

SerendipityJane · 05/04/2023 18:09

I can remember when there were no medical benefits from cannabis. It was before Tate & Lyle became the worlds biggest cannabis dealers.

Turned out all you need to make something medical was to do it in Norfolk.

Who knew ?

Show quote history

is that a riddle?
something to do with turnips maybe?

Nat6999 · 05/04/2023 18:55

Drugs should be legalised & regulated, then they could be taxed & the money would support the NHS.

Thelnebriati · 05/04/2023 18:57

One problem is that if they set the rate of tax too high there will still be a black market, as with tobacco. And its the black market culture that causes half the problems.

SerendipityJane · 05/04/2023 19:11

Thelnebriati · 05/04/2023 18:57

One problem is that if they set the rate of tax too high there will still be a black market, as with tobacco. And its the black market culture that causes half the problems.

There are black markets in everything. So I respectfully suggest that isn't reason to continue doing nothing.

If you are sincere, the real question is what approach leads to least harm. It's up for debate as to whether half a century of the War On Drugs has saved a single life. Whilst it's no debate that it's ruined countless lives.

WhatFreshHeckle · 05/04/2023 19:28

I really dislike drugs, but am for legalisation. As others have said, it would remove a lot of the illegal side of it and would take away some of the associated violence. I honestly don't think it would mean a big increase in drugs use. Weed is already everywhere and cocaine isn't far behind it in terms of popularity even in the mainstream. Gone are the days when class As were only for gaunt looking students in "legalise everything" t-shirts or whatever.

The legalise it argument is quite mainstream now too! I even saw one of the regular commentators on This Morning talking about it this week, so you couldn't get much more vanilla!

But, while it is still illegal, I do agree that recreational drug use is selfish and unethical. I don't think anyone can deny that. Addicts or people trying to access it for medical reasons and failing so resorting to buying it online or whatever is different. I mean the many people on a night out having a 'cheeky bump' or a spliff at a BBQ.

SerendipityJane · 05/04/2023 19:32

I do agree that recreational drug use is selfish and unethical.

Quite. The number of pissed youths in the city centre is a disgrace.

WhatFreshHeckle · 05/04/2023 19:35

@SerendipityJane

No, I meant because of where it comes from, ties to organised crime and violence along the supply chain.

IF it was legal, it wouldn't be unethical to buy it. Alcohol is legal. Although it's a terrible idea to get shitfaced every weekend and that can lead to violence too, buying it isn't unethical. Buying drugs is. I'm sure you know that, but are choosing to pretend otherwise

SerendipityJane · 05/04/2023 19:40

IF it was legal, it wouldn't be unethical to buy it.

I see. Like pornography then ?

The problem with "ethics" is they are very grey around the edges. (See also "morality"). And there is noting worse for some part of society than having someone else ethics rammed not just down your throat, but into your law books. As a lot of women in certain US states know to their bitter, bitter cost.

WhatFreshHeckle · 05/04/2023 19:51

As I said, I am for legalisation @SerendipityJane

I am sorry you feel as if other people's morals are being shoved down your throat and into our law books. As I said, I am for legalisation despite strongly disliking drug use and being around people when they are using. So, if I get my way and it does become legal (and well regulated), it will be the morals and ethics of drug users being shoved down my throat and into law books. I am fine with that, as I don't believe there would be a big increase in drug use and I believe the war on drugs has done more harm than good.

But all of that doesn't make me think well of people who choose to ignore the extremely dark side of the supply chain so they can get high on the weekend. This doesn't apply to addicts or people who smoke for pain relief etc.

You don't have to like my opinion, but it's quite straightforward really (and it certainly doesn't come from a "drugs are bad mmmkay" or pearl-clutching attitude - it's just really obvious to me that feeding that industry for a perceived better night out and for purely recreational purposes is wrong). It doesn't compare to any legal industry IME. The violence associated with the trade and supply of illegal drugs is vile. Willfully ignoring it because it makes someone feel bad about their night out is unethical to me. You don't have to agree

Karwomannghia · 06/04/2023 08:24

Can someone explain the logistics of how the drug supply chain would suddenly become clean and ethical once it became legal? In Amsterdam I was offered drugs on the street constantly. Will all the drug dealers all get office jobs?

WhatFreshHeckle · 06/04/2023 09:01

It wouldn't suddenly become completely clean and ethical and I do think anyone has said it would

Karwomannghia · 06/04/2023 09:45

No I know they haven’t I’m wondering how it would / has worked?

Wouldlovetobeinthesun · 06/04/2023 10:02

Arightoldcarryabag · 03/04/2023 17:16

There needs to be a lot more publicity about the fact that cannabis is not illegal anymore, it is legal and the pipe I've just finished is no more illegal than the painkillers my MIL takes each evening that her GP prescribes.

Stop with the uneducated stigma and accept it's many benefits to society. Fully regulation as with other forward thinking Countries is the next step so get used to it.

I've just googled if it's legal and could find nowhere that said it is? It still appears to be illegal.

Original poster
StLevanBlackcaps · 06/04/2023 10:42

As far as I can understand it’s not illegal for medical use, although may be hard to obtain. It’s still illegal for recreational use but some people seem unwilling to accept that.

OP posts:
GCRules · 06/04/2023 10:44

Grow your own. Best thing.

Thelnebriati · 06/04/2023 11:05

That might not be the worst solution, let people grow a few plants for their own use.

WhatFreshHeckle · 06/04/2023 11:08

The stupid thing with the law as it stands is that it punishes people more for growing as it implies they might intend to sell! When clearly it is a lot more ethical than buying it from some kid who has been groomed into drug dealing

misssunshine4040 · 06/04/2023 11:20

StLevanBlackcaps · 03/04/2023 17:09

He was reported as being a cannabis dealer.

Because he was trying to minimise what he did. Of course he wasn't just selling cannabis.

Busybutbored · 06/04/2023 11:48

Only if you apply the same thought to cigarettes and alcohol which cause far more damage. The only thing with those is its corporations that are profiting 🤨

Thesharkradar · 06/04/2023 11:55

WhatFreshHeckle · 06/04/2023 11:08

The stupid thing with the law as it stands is that it punishes people more for growing as it implies they might intend to sell! When clearly it is a lot more ethical than buying it from some kid who has been groomed into drug dealing

The reason the government wants to punish people for growing is that it doesn't want them to have cannabis for free.
Our government is one of the biggest exporters and producers of medicinal cannabis if anyone has cannabis they want the money going into their coffers benefiting their mates ....as per usual.
They don't care about harms for the people they only care about power and profit for themselves and their friends.

RedEyeBaby · 06/04/2023 11:56

If it were legalised you'd still have people growing their own and selling it. There's money to be made. Loads of people make counterfeit hoods for example even though the originals are legal.

Thesharkradar · 06/04/2023 12:00

StLevanBlackcaps · 06/04/2023 10:42

As far as I can understand it’s not illegal for medical use, although may be hard to obtain. It’s still illegal for recreational use but some people seem unwilling to accept that.

Yes it is legal for medical use and it's pretty easy to obtain.
Where (in your mind) is the line between recreational and medical use?
I use cannabis because it helps me sleep, that would come under the heading of medical use, but I also find it very enjoyable, am I a medical user or a recreational user?
What is the matter with you, why don't you want people to have it for recreational use?
If it's enjoyable and it doesn't cause any harm what's the problem? don't you want anyone to have fun or enjoy themselves?

Thesharkradar · 06/04/2023 12:03

RedEyeBaby · 06/04/2023 11:56

If it were legalised you'd still have people growing their own and selling it. There's money to be made. Loads of people make counterfeit hoods for example even though the originals are legal.

And what's wrong with that?
anyone could make homemade wine and sell it if they got the right kind of licence why not cannabis?

Original poster
StLevanBlackcaps · 06/04/2023 12:18

@Thesharkradar nothing the matter with me and I don’t have a problem with people enjoying themselves, why on earth would I? But just because you say your use doesn’t cause any harm doesn’t mean other people’s doesn’t.

On a personal level I have to put up with the stench of it through my home, as well as my kids breathing it in, when my selfish neighbour is smoking it (hope you’re more considerate to yours) and on a wider level I find the potential side effects worrying and the crime behind it more so.

OP posts:
NoTouch · 06/04/2023 12:32

AIBU to think drugs are drugs and if you choose to use them you’re as bad as the arseholes who supply them?

You are absolutely not being unreasonable one single bit. There is no justification for supporting this horrific illegal industry and the harm that cannabis does. Arguments saying it should be legalised (as if that would stop cheaper illegal supplies 🙄) or that they are ethical dope heads because they have their own sources that don't involve the criminal supply chain (it is still a harmful illegal drug that their drug dealing friends are supplying uncontrolled with no medical knowledge) are weak and ignorant attempts at distraction from their selfish involvement.

Every dopehead is responsible for dismissing or minimising the harm, condoning, normalising, promoting its use and popularity among vulnerable children and young adults and every dopehead is responsible for each of the lives it has ruined. But they are too selfish to see the link between themselves and the ruined lives.

Attempts to distract by saying alcohol is more damaging is grasping at straws to justify their choice to normalise for their own selfish reasons regardless of harm. Alcohol issues are a completely separate conversation.

I would only support medical cannabis prescribed and controlled by a doctor where there is a clear and significant benefit over the risk of harm from side effects.

Some sad little people just don't grow up and out of thinking it is cool, big or clever to be a dopehead.