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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cannabis

27 replies

OhIDontKnowReally · 27/10/2023 23:15

I live in a city centre.

Whilst waking around I'm more regularly able to smell cannabis.

My teenage son has said that it's really quite normal now and most of his friends smoke it.

This frightens the life out of me as I worry about County Lines etc.

Do I need to chill out and accept this is how things are now, or subtly keep an eye on things with my son?

OP posts:
MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 27/10/2023 23:16

No you don't chill out' about it fgs!

SamAndEIIa · 27/10/2023 23:18

I actually think it’s far less common now than it was say 5-10 years ago, tbh. Maybe I just frequent different places now 😂

Original poster
OhIDontKnowReally · 27/10/2023 23:20

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 27/10/2023 23:16

No you don't chill out' about it fgs!

I think I worded that wrong!

I'm not at all chilled about it.

OP posts:
Sixsixtysix · 27/10/2023 23:30

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BeingSkint · 28/10/2023 01:09

It's really bad for teens especially. Often affects their mental health in a way that it doesn't always in adults. Not to mention if they get caught with class B drugs. Just not worth it.

Spinnymop · 28/10/2023 01:11

It's legal in the UK now too. If you have the money for a private clinic.

Robotalkingrubbish · 28/10/2023 01:13

And yet many adults drink way too much alcohol, which causes mental health problems, domestic abuse, relationship breakdown, physical ill health etc., but that’s ok because it’s legal.

twilightermummy · 28/10/2023 01:17

I smell it all the time now just walking about the streets. People don't seem to care about using it in public. Perhaps they don't believe that there are any real consequences? I hate the drug.

I've actually seen the mental health problems caused from people who have smoked it since young. Strangely enough, they all act in a similar manner as an adult...very quick to erupt and hyper-aware/paranoid, they seem to pick up on words you use. I'm not sure if I'm explaining myself well but I'm very close to a group who have used since very young. They still wouldn't smoke it in the street though; My son is 12 now and I'm really worried about cannabis. He recognises the smell in the street also.

FoodMishap · 28/10/2023 01:18

Spinnymop · 28/10/2023 01:11

It's legal in the UK now too. If you have the money for a private clinic.

Only medicinally.

FlissyPaps · 28/10/2023 01:21

Cannabis is nowhere near as damaging than alcohol.

Although I wouldn’t say it is “really quite normal” to smoke cannabis as your son says, but drinking culture in the UK is celebrated and “the norm” when it causes far more deaths and illnesses than cannabis ever will.

Pussygaloregalapagos · 28/10/2023 01:24

I think it smells more these days. It is stronger... skunkier.

I quite like the smell of it but it is weird when you just walk down the street and smell it and noone around is smoking or anything and you know it is literally just the smell of it coming from someones pocket!!

We went to Vancouver for a holiday and it is legal there and you could literally smell it everywhere. I used to smoke fags but never liked weed much. Did try the gummies in Canada though. They were nice... very giggly!

DaizenShine · 28/10/2023 01:47

The problem with cannabis here is it being unregulated, so it's usually much stronger. As someone who smoked for 10+ years, it's not healthy if it's regular smoking. Keep an eye on him, you won't be able to stop him smoking now and then when he gets to that age, but don't tolerate it if you find out.

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 28/10/2023 01:59

I smoked cannabis when I was younger. One of my friends who smoked a lot, on his own, ended up with serious mental health issues ( which, tbf, he was heading for anyway)
I got bored with the whole scene. I've talked to my kids a lot about drugs. I know all 3 have tried dope. I know they still occasionally do it, but they know if it becomes a way if life rather than a social thing thats not good.
But lots of far nastier drugs out there

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 28/10/2023 02:02

Sorry, meant to say, the important thing is that you talk to your son and set some guidelines

junbean · 28/10/2023 02:08

I don't know what county lines are but i live in a place where it's used legally medicinally and it's a total non-issue. Plenty of people use it just to get stoned too, basically like drinking alcohol and getting a short lived buzz. I don't ever worry about my kids using it, they've seen me using it for migraines, insomnia and anxiety. You can just talk to him about it same as you would talk about using alcohol safely- like no driving under the influence, etc. I'd encourage edible (if it's controlled legally) use versus smoking as obviously it's bad for the lungs. I'm much more worried about manufactured drugs.

junbean · 28/10/2023 02:11

DaizenShine · 28/10/2023 01:47

The problem with cannabis here is it being unregulated, so it's usually much stronger. As someone who smoked for 10+ years, it's not healthy if it's regular smoking. Keep an eye on him, you won't be able to stop him smoking now and then when he gets to that age, but don't tolerate it if you find out.

I mentioned edibles, this is where it not being regulated can be iffy, because of contaminants and dosing. I wouldn't worry too much about flower though- before it was legal where I live it was pretty rare to have issues. Sometimes it would be soaked in chemicals but usually you'd know. It's not like pills or powders that can be cut with awful things or fentanyl. It's pretty easy to make cannabutter from flower though, it's incredibly healthy compared to smoking especially. That being said, stronger weed just means more THC which isn't dangerous for an adult sized person. You'd know after one puff if it's strong. We have very strong medical grade where I live and the only side effect I've had from it is a bit of dizziness which I'm prone to anyway. There's no real danger in strong weed.

DiscoBeat · 28/10/2023 02:12

I agree, I can smell it more now, on the street and from in front of me. My DS15 luckily has his head switched on and knows how awful it is. He went to a house party last night and said he would text me to collect him if he saw anyone using it as he rightly worries about the second hand effects and vile smell (there wasn't any, but it's everywhere at the moment 🤮

WandaWonder · 28/10/2023 02:21

What do you except to be able to do about it? It's is happening whether you like it or not, sure I think it's gross but if people want to waste what little brain cells they have it's on them not anything I can do about it

Notimeforaname · 28/10/2023 02:22

And yet many adults drink way too much alcohol, which causes mental health problems, domestic abuse, relationship breakdown, physical ill health etc., but that’s ok because it’s legal.

I drank a lot of alcohol in my teens and 20s. It got me in so much trouble and i wasted so many days being sick/hungover.
I dont drink now but I do use cannabis. I'm using it now. Aside from the fact I enjoy it, I currently have the most horrendous period pain and this really helps me deal with it! Pain relief, relaxation, helps me sleep through the pain and no fear of not remembering tonight or feeling like shit tomorrow.

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 28/10/2023 05:34

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Would you want your kid involved with county lines then??

araiwa · 28/10/2023 05:38

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 28/10/2023 05:34

Would you want your kid involved with county lines then??

Show quote history

Which wouldn't exist if it was legal 🤔

I just go to the shop to buy. No crossing county lines

OnAir · 28/10/2023 06:05

If you go to a pub, cocaine if far more acceptable. Every other person is on it. I feel like that's a far bigger problem then a bit of weed.

Mongrelsrbeautiful · 28/10/2023 06:22

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Because I work with parents whose mental health/personalties/parenting capacity are very severly affected. Children suffer. Even neighbours suffer from the stench for gods sake

Beefcurtains79 · 28/10/2023 07:00

They need to legalise it. Its an extra source of income that is needed in deprived towns, could revitalise places like Blackpool that people go for hen dos etc.

Eliminate county lines and free up police time all in one.

Lincslady53 · 28/10/2023 07:33

My son got into smoking cannabis at Uni 20 years ago. It has totally fucked up his life. Never been able to hold down a job or relationship, got increasingly aggressive over that time, culminated with 3 months in secure mental health unit on heavy anti psychotic drugs. He has been out for a year now and is slowly recovering, it has been hell. Everytime we tried to ralk of the dangers he showed us reports showing how much safer than tobacco and alcohol it is, just like people are commenting on here. It isn't. We have a major mental health crisis in this country. How much of that problem is down to illegal drug use? How many more of our children going to have their, and their families, lives ruined before we get a government with the balls to clamp down on illegal drug use? Every major political party is weak on what they would do. Not one has a plan on how to solve the issue.