What next for the Sussexes?

[Casuaala]

I thought yesterday couldn't have gone better, all things considered; there was the least amount of drama or negative coverage possible regarding the Sussexes.

I'd like to hope that this marks a fresh start. Harry's got all the recriminations off his chest. The Royal Family have maintained a dignified silence and hopefully the future is rosy. The Sussexes can have the life they want in the US, with a small presence in family events back here when appropriate. (I wouldn't be surprised however if Megan never makes it back on UK soil).

I disagree with your assessment that Harry is glorifying drug use. People take drugs. He has acknowledged he is one of them. As have others in the public eye.

I will always criticize drug use from a health outcomes perspective however I am at a loss as to what specific tragedy a California is experiencing vis a vis marijuana decriminalisation when the crime data (which is what most people refer to when speaking about things being worse) shows no correlation to this. (The paper linked shows that the justice system needs to collect better data to answer some of these questions - quick review of qualitative research also comes to similar conclusions - a drop in violent crime or no change).

I think all drugs have real healthcare outcome issues (I include alcohol in this - the worst one pound for pound) but criminalising use does not solve the health issues, is not a deterrent (drugs are illegal here and somehow I meet people daily who seem to have no problem getting them) and embolden criminals (now we have huge county lines problem).

Sorry this has veered into health talk - now need to get off MN. Have a great day!

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/253137.pdf

Do you drink?

How on earth do you compare child bride. How is that consent? In any form.

Don't know how you can compare a violation of human rights with something of choice. Those two things are so far removed.

Prostitution gets legalised for the same reason as weed and alcohol. To regulate that the women are not being trafficked, under age and support and rehabilitate those who are drug addicts or are vulnerable. Also social workers and police involvement means monitoring.

Weed is probably more regulated than alcohol.

@skullbabe that wasn’t for you. I do read your posts, but I am so seriously not getting into this here. Not today. Not with this crowd.

Why so defensive and rude? Why wouldn’t you answer?

This is quite personal and rude. Why? What’s your issue with simple questions like, do you drink alcohol? You don’t have a problem conversing with posters who have had racist posts deleted on this thread. I’m not sure what your issue is.

I would argue that harming those who are unable to defend themselves or who cannot understand the ramifications of decisions will always be wrong. As children are developmentally unable to consent to adult activities - like marriage for instance - it is wrong for this to be encouraged and should be censured.

Coercing, kidnapping and forcing people into sex work will always be wrong - to prevent that and to prevent people from profiting in the trade of people into sex work - allowing people who want to do it to do it legally and safely and for the people who want to engage sex workers to be “findable” so to speak.

Many legal sex workers are happy with this system. The chances of exploitative sex work increases in areas where sex work is illegal which sex workers agree with. I personally do not like the idea of sex work - but again I am someone who has spoken to and engaged with sex workers (both the involuntary ones and the voluntary ones) and this is my understanding. I would appreciate it if I knew if any potential partner of mine had employed the services of a sex worker especially in a place where is is illegal because the chances that the sex worker is not there voluntarily is significantly high and many people would have to be pretty stupid to not know that.

OMG another essay - now I’m really late.

He just doesn't see there's a time to shut up but it shows his lack of understanding of the bigger issues. A near 40 year old man needs to stand up and say there are major drawbacks to drug use not attempt to normalise it. Every bit of research shows cannabis is a gateway drug for young users

@polkadotdalmation Yes and studies are showing it’s very damaging in and of itself, also. Particularly to younger people with developing brains. This period will be looked at in the future with absolute shock, like we do with the tobacco industry.

Hello everyone,
We'd like to remind you that Mumsnet is here to make parents' lives easier.
Discussions like this often get heated, especially when posts have been misunderstood so we hope that, given apologies have been extended, that the thread can now get back on track.
Peace and love

that is really funny

I think it’s hypocritical to think Harry needs to make a statement on the misuse of a legal drug when you don’t ask the same of people including other royals, and most of society, who openly drink alcohol, which has a wealth of evidence on its harm to society and absolutely no benefits whatsoever. Having grown up in a violent home with an alcoholic and a country with very serious issues of violence and alcohol use, I think its normalisation has already had devastating impacts. People dismiss this impact and forget about victims who have to live with the results of this.

Yes , I've personally witnessed the decline and utter spiral of destruction of a young person, who started' just with weed' , then ' just tried other drugs' . It's heartbreaking 💔

It is important to remember that current research has only provided evidence of association, and not causation, meaning that there is no evidence that cannabis use actually causes the use of later drug use, merely that the two behaviours are linked, a link which could be due to factors which commonly influence both behaviours.Guardian

"I think it’s hypocritical to think Harry needs to make a statement on the misuse of a legal drug when you don’t ask the same of people including other royals, and most of society'

Maybe not make a statement just perhaps keep his recreational drug use private? We know he likes to overshare but drug use is a serious issue and he should have perhaps realised this and kept that one to himself.

Do you think that about alcohol?

We aren't talking about alcohol. Drug use is a very serious issue why is he telling us about it at all? Doesn't he want to keep anything to himself .

I’m talking about it. Marijuana is legal in half the states in the US. Alcohol has very harmful effects on society, well documented, with no benefits to health. It’s a great comparison in this conversation because most people, including the royals, drink alcohol and yet want to hold Harry and marijuana users to a higher standard.

Honestly the whataboutery from Harry supporters gets ever more desperate.

If a member of the royal family was on a reality show discussing their alcohol consumption openly I would also say why on earth say that, booze causes lifestyle problems for many people why not stick to the weather and charity work.

However what actually happened is Harry discussed his drug use, that is wholly irresponsible and inappropriate.

It’s not whataboutery. It’s a comparison to a drug most of society openly uses and causes great harm with no health benefits. If the reasons for berating Harry over marijuana are genuine, then you should hold the same opinion on alcohol and royals openly consuming it.

This is from April:

When the conversation turned to alcoholic tipples, the Prince and Princess of Wales divulged some unexpected information about their orders of choice. William admitted he likes vodka and has a penchant for a Kamikaze cocktail - something he described as "silent, but deadly".
Kate admitted: "I quite like tequila," surprising royal fans who never expected the royal to enjoy such a potent spirit.

I don’t drInk alcohol because of childhood trauma associated with it, but I’m not criticising W & K here. I’m making a point around the different attitudes to what Harry does, compared to others.

Can't believe members of the H&M fan club are supporting illegal drug use and promotion of the same. Diverting and deflecting on to the subject of alcohol misuse is neither here nor there. Harry has also had issues with alcohol misuse. There's been a lot of research into cannabis misuse and the conclusions are quite clear. It is a gateway drug to harder drugs.

What's to criticise W&K for??? Enjoying the odd drink? Sadly you can't use your own perspective to dictate opinions shared on SM

We are seeing devastation of a generation who grew up being told marijuana is fine and even good for them.

Use of Marijuana: Effect on Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STR.0000000000000396