Page 8 | Drug users don’t give any thought to who’s behind their next spliff

StLevanBlackcaps · 2023-04-03T15:43:21+00:00

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?

Lonelycrab · 06/04/2023 13:22

Legalise it and tax it.

Germany are almost there now.

youboozeyoulose · 06/04/2023 15:56

"Dopeheads"? Seriously, who talks like this in real life? Mumsnet is so embarrassing when it comes to trying to have a sensible conversation about drugs.

GCRules · 06/04/2023 15:57

youboozeyoulose · 06/04/2023 15:56

"Dopeheads"? Seriously, who talks like this in real life? Mumsnet is so embarrassing when it comes to trying to have a sensible conversation about drugs.

Agree.

I wonder if they tar everyone that has a glass of red after putting the kids to bed 'Alchies'

ByTheSea · 06/04/2023 16:23

Legalise, regulate and tax

ByTheSea · 06/04/2023 16:30

Canuckduck · 03/04/2023 21:45

It’s been legal in Canada for a few years now. Legalization is not a perfect solution but it does eliminate some of the organized crime element and allow the government to collect taxes. However, some people still prefer to buy from dealers. I’ve never heard of county lines here.

It’s heavily controlled in government regulated/ licenced stores and you can buy it different forms. Some of these forms like edibles, cannabis to vape, teas etc. mean a lot less smell. In my circles I do see people turning to it in low doses as an alternative to a glass of wine or to help with specific problems such as insomnia. The advantage of the stores is that you can go in and chat openly about what you’re looking for. Different strains / strengths have different outcomes. You can also grow a small amount for personal use.

There are government campaigns about safe use for young people and not using while driving.

I think all drugs should be managed this way honestly.

This!

Comii9 · 06/04/2023 16:44

@Canuckduck do you have any nurse or doctor friends? Here in UK drugs is a huge problem and lands a lot of patients in hospitals. The effects of drugs are astronomical a few examples leg amputations and people in wheel chairs. I wonder how it is in Camdian hospitals??

I don't think weed and Crack should be lumped in the same category quite frankly.

Vegetus · 06/04/2023 17:20

youboozeyoulose · 06/04/2023 15:56

"Dopeheads"? Seriously, who talks like this in real life? Mumsnet is so embarrassing when it comes to trying to have a sensible conversation about drugs.

Drugs and Carbs make heads fall off Mumsnet

User135644 · 06/04/2023 17:30

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?

Most drugs aren't legal in Amsterdam though are they?

Canuckduck · 06/04/2023 17:45

I’m not a naive. Of course we have similar issues in Canada and I lived in the UK for over 10 years. I’m also a social worker and yes I know health professionals.

Legalizing drugs doesn’t make addiction disappear but it does change stigma / attitudes and access to services.Also it means that people do not have to steal, use dirty needles or die alone in the street. I don’t think it’s an easy answer, more the lesser of the evils. Access to some drugs can be on prescription and consumption at supervised settings.

Canuckduck · 06/04/2023 17:47

Sorry that was a reply! Not sure if that worked .

RuddyLaura · 06/04/2023 19:10

It was a voice of reason whether it worked as reply or not! @Canuckduck

bitcharming · 06/04/2023 19:11

agree

newjobnewstartihope · 06/04/2023 19:29

ConcordeOoter · 03/04/2023 18:56

Drugs kill people
Drug dealers kill people
Drugs are used to manipulate and enslave sex workers generally
County lines is a thing
Cannabis in terms of crime networks is often inextricably intertwined with crack and heroine
Drug money is used to fund terrorist groups, illegal firearms imports and human trafficking/loan shark operations
Cannabis involvement in cases of admission to hospital with psychotic disorders is very high, it is one of the last things you want near someone with any predisposition, and lots of people have predispositions
if you smoke weed habitually there seems to be a good chance you will become a pointless dickhead who doesn't really care about those around you

So you know, if you like weed and don't give a shit, say you like weed and don't give a shit. It isn't a fucking health food, though, it isn't as ineffectual as eating a sandwich, and it is not free of repercussions for society at large.

On the other hand, certainly the "war on drugs" concept is a fraudulent excuse to divert money into miltarized government power, which is coincidentally just what they always want, and the problem only ever seems to get worse. Oopsy.

Louder for those at the back 👏🏻

MarshaBradyo · 06/04/2023 19:33

Vegetus · 06/04/2023 17:20

Drugs and Carbs make heads fall off Mumsnet

Show quote history

Carbs maybe not welcome but enough seem to welcome drugs

BritWifeInUSA · 06/04/2023 19:39

Legalization of cannabis is the key. Where I live it’s been legal for many years. Not only does it stop dirty feeling and the criminal activity that goes with it, it also ensures that the quality and purity are controlled. Fewer people are killed due to cannabis than alcohol. The UK permits alcohol to be sold on a controlled basis (age check, licensed sellers, quality controls on producers, etc) so why not cannabis? It also takes away the whole excitement of it that notice many young people in the UK exhibit - they do it because it’s illegal and they think it makes them look big and cool. It it were legal, many of them would stop.

RuddyLaura · 06/04/2023 22:21

MarshaBradyo · 06/04/2023 19:33

Carbs maybe not welcome but enough seem to welcome drugs

Show quote history

Choosing the least worst option to gain a bit of control and minimise risk isn't exactly a welcoming party? Current controls are ineffective so I'm not sure what the alternative solution is 🤷‍♀️

Comii9 · 06/04/2023 22:39

Canuckduck · 06/04/2023 17:45

I’m not a naive. Of course we have similar issues in Canada and I lived in the UK for over 10 years. I’m also a social worker and yes I know health professionals.

Legalizing drugs doesn’t make addiction disappear but it does change stigma / attitudes and access to services.Also it means that people do not have to steal, use dirty needles or die alone in the street. I don’t think it’s an easy answer, more the lesser of the evils. Access to some drugs can be on prescription and consumption at supervised settings.

I wasn't suggesting you was naive. I just wondered how Cananda was.

I holiday in Punta cana and got talking to quite a few people from Toronto and some things they were telling me were different for example children on reins because child snatching is high. I wouldn't say it's overly common here in UK.
I genuinely just wondered.

These patients take up beds hospitals in UK are in a very poor state who would supervise? Who would perscribe? Your lucky to get a GP appointment some weeks or an ambulance.

I know this sounds harsh but if people die on the street..... well I don't wish it upon anybody at all. But still that will be the outcome regardless if the drug is prescribes because they are an ADDICT. The person would engage and take more DRUGS.

Karwomannghia · 07/04/2023 08:51

Education and mental health support is the key but we all know how much the government care about that.

Karwomannghia · 07/04/2023 08:53

In Canada are all drugs legal then? Just thinking about the lack of dirty needles comment. I saw a documentary recently about a huge drug problem there.

MarshaBradyo · 07/04/2023 09:01

Also it means that people do not have to steal, use dirty needles or die alone in the street.

We do have a needle exchange here too, in Scotland and England at least, anyone can access it.

Drugs are invasive, you can make them legal, prescribe them even and you can still wreck communities with it. Look at US and issues after introducing opioids through Drs. Still people stealing and dying in homes or street.

The Netherlands is interesting as it seems they had a heroin crisis to deal with and some programmes may have helped but they are quite lax on production. So some articles outline a ‘narco state’ which is flourishing pretty well.

Thesharkradar · 10/04/2023 13:27

BritWifeInUSA · 06/04/2023 19:39

Legalization of cannabis is the key. Where I live it’s been legal for many years. Not only does it stop dirty feeling and the criminal activity that goes with it, it also ensures that the quality and purity are controlled. Fewer people are killed due to cannabis than alcohol. The UK permits alcohol to be sold on a controlled basis (age check, licensed sellers, quality controls on producers, etc) so why not cannabis? It also takes away the whole excitement of it that notice many young people in the UK exhibit - they do it because it’s illegal and they think it makes them look big and cool. It it were legal, many of them would stop.

It IS legal in the UK, have a look at this thread
https://www.reddit.com/r/ukmedicalcannabis/comments/12fgudx/seen_in_a_high_street_style_pharmacy_today_in/

r/ukmedicalcannabis - Seen in a high street style pharmacy today in Amble, Northumberland a small seaside fishing town.

286 votes and 53 comments so far on Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukmedicalcannabis/comments/12fgudx/seen_in_a_high_street_style_pharmacy_today_in

KatysMumJen · 13/04/2023 15:18

CremeEggThief · 03/04/2023 16:59

YABU.

If ALL drugs were legalised and properly taxed and regulated, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now, with most of the money and power in the hands of criminals.

The American government sharp realised it had made a MASSIVE mistake prohibiting alcohol. What a shame that all of the governments refused to admit or realise this in relation to illegal drugs.

This is absolutely true. Prohibition was an absolute disaster and the war on drugs has cost the American and UK tax payers a huge amount because the criminal justice system is prosecuting users and never getting to the suppliers.
Power vacuums and horrendous violence can be attributed to the way governments criminalise drugs.

Decriminalisation of all drugs is the only way. Many countries have gone down the decriminalisation route and have been far more successful than the ones that haven’t in tackling the issue.
Portugal is a great example of this.

The tax revenues from legalisation are huge. (Colorado state saw a 600% increase in its economy after legalising weed.)

Decriminalisation takes a financial load off the criminal justice system and the money could be used for rehabilitation programs that actually work.

Banning and demonising drugs and their users doesn’t work.
Removing the criminality and reaping tax revenues does.

Unfortunately in the UK there’s a Daily Mail attitude towards any kind of drug taking.
Of course those with this type of attitude think nothing of sinking a bottle of red with their dinner.

Babsexxx · 13/04/2023 15:21

THIS my friend had a boyfriend who smoked weed morning noon and night he was lovely when he had it….untill he ran out it was horrendous for her!

People that think it’s not really that damaging don’t have a fucking clue.

LimitIsUp · 14/04/2023 12:01

Babsexxx · 13/04/2023 15:21

THIS my friend had a boyfriend who smoked weed morning noon and night he was lovely when he had it….untill he ran out it was horrendous for her!

People that think it’s not really that damaging don’t have a fucking clue.

🙄Not every cannabis smoker is like your friend's boyfriend. I would suggest that you don't have a clue.