cannabisnews.com: 'No Cannabis Cafes for UK'
'No Cannabis Cafes for UK'
Posted by FoM on October 30, 2001 at 10:54:39 PT
Cannabis cafes increase drugs use, says government
Source: BBC News
The government's decision to ease the laws on possession of cannabis will not lead to cafes selling the drug in the UK, a senior Home Office official has insisted. Home Office director of drug strategy Sue Killen was pressed repeatedly on the issue by MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Committee. The questioning comes in the wake of Home Secretary David Blunkett's statement that he wants to ease the UK's drugs laws so cannabis possession will no longer be an arrestable offence.
Ex-drugs tsar Keith Hellawell was another key expert who gave evidence to the committee, arguing he had neither real power nor real support in his previous post. Policy Shift's Implications The implications of what was seen as a major shift in the government's stance on drugs were the focus of much of the first session of the committee's inquiry into drugs policy. Ms Killen stressed that supplying cannabis will remain illegal because the evidence suggested that allowing commercial sales increased the amount of users. "We are not talking about decriminalisation in any way, shape or form. All the sanctions will remain criminal. "Within the civil system, it tends to be quite rigid, whereas within the criminal justice system, there is some discretion that remains." Committee chairman Chris Mullin suggested Home Office officials were "in denial" over what the public were really discussing. He told Ms Killen: "There's a huge debate raging in the outside world about whether decriminalisation is or is not a good thing." Radical Options And Conservative MP David Cameron said it was be disappointing if the radical options were not at least examined. Ms Killen told the committee: "To my knowledge, we haven't sat down and done a major study on decriminalisation of all drugs, including Class A." Another Home Office drugs unit official, Vic Hogg, said successive governments had seen the harm caused by drugs as "extremely serious". The UK was signed up to conventions that said drugs supply and production should be a criminal offence, he added. But Mr Mullin asked the officials to return to the committee by next Thursday with a set of arguments to rebut such ideas as decriminalising drugs. He continued: "If no-one will address these issues from among our official witnesses, how are we to proceed?" 'No Decriminalisation' Former drugs tsar Mr Hellawell said in his evidence that he had yet to meet a heroin user who had not started on cannabis, although the same was true of normal cigarettes. Rebutting media reports earlier this year, he continued: "I have never said that I do not believe cannabis to be a gateway drug. I do not know where this story has come from." The committee did not ask Mr Hellawell if he agreed with the decision to reclassify cannabis from a Class 'B' to a Class 'C' drug. 'No Sidelining' Mr Hellawell has now been moved to become the government's expert adviser on drugs policy. He denied reports that he had been sidelined by Mr Blunkett, claiming he had neither real power nor real support in his previous post. Mr Hellawell revealed his dislike for the title "tsar". "It did not reflect in any way the job that I had or the powers or responsibility that I did not have," he said. "If, as has portrayed, I was there to change the world single-handedly then clearly my critics would say I failed to do that." Note: There's a huge debate raging in the outside world about whether decriminalisation is or is not a good thing -- Chris Mullin Labour MP Source: BBC News (UK Web)Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2001Copyright: 2001 BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/Related Articles:Government Says No To Cannabis Cafeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11221.shtmlCannabis Cafe Planhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11216.shtmlAmsterdam Could Come To SW9 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10777.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by Lehder on October 31, 2001 at 06:48:05 PT
cannabis and migraine
Pain 1998 May;76(1-2):3-8
Related Articles, Books, LinkOut Cannabis for migraine treatment: the once and future
prescription? An historical and scientific review. Russo E.Department of Neurology, Western Montana Clinic, Missoula
58907-7609, USA. ptm5739 montana.comCannabis, or Marijuana, has been used for centuries for both symptomatic and prophylactic treatment of migraine. It was highly esteemed as a headache remedy by the most prominent physicians of the age between 1874 and 1942, remaining part of the Western pharmacopoeia for this indication even into the mid-twentieth century. Current ethnobotanical and
anecdotal references continue to refer to its efficacy for this malady, while biochemical studies of THC and anandamide have provided a scientific basis for such treatment. The author believes that controlled clinical trials of Cannabis in acute migraine treatment are warranted. Publication Types:
Historical Article
Review
Review, Tutorial PMID: 9696453 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Comment #13 posted by Lehder on October 31, 2001 at 06:13:30 PT
Good Show, EJ!!
Even being so simple as entering "marijuana" in the National Library of Medicine yields over 7000 results. Entering "cannabinoid parkinsonian" gives five. This is from one of those five:During the last years in humans a limited number of clinical trials demonstrated that cannabinoids might be useful in the treatment of movement disorders. Despite the lack of controlled studies there is evidence that cannabinoids are of therapeutic value in the treatment of tics in Tourette syndrome, the reduction of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson s disease and some forms of tremor and dystonia. It can be speculated that cannabinoid antagonists might be useful in the treatment of chorea in Huntington s disease and hypokinetic parkinsonian syndromes.What many have found for themselves by illegal trial and error is now being proved by science. The war on marijuana has truly been one of genocide and its prosecutors must be held legally accountable for their crimes.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10627163&dopt=AbstractOf the five studies obtained using the two key words above, two were made in Germany, two in the UK and the fifth did not list author affiliations.more on treatment for dyskinesia (Parkinson's shake):This article discusses how non-dopaminergic manipulations could reverse the abnormalities in basal ganglia circuitry
responsible for generating dyskinesia. It is proposed that potential anti-dyskinetic drugs might include glutamate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, opioid receptor antagonists, cannabinoid receptor agonists or antagonists, alpha2 adrenergic receptor antagonists, and 5-HT-enhancing agents. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9827609&dopt=Abstract
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Comment #12 posted by freedom fighter on October 31, 2001 at 05:55:07 PT
Ms Killen
Yeah, sure, the Dutch are sure glad to see UK consumers down there. ff
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Comment #11 posted by kaptinemo on October 31, 2001 at 04:11:03 PT:
Many, many thanx, E.J.
Plenty of data for us to chew on...and the antis to gag on. Would you like some ketchup, Joycie?
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Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on October 30, 2001 at 17:42:17 PT
Learn to read science, defeat the Prohiban!
There is a big movement now to put all scientific journals in public databases on the Internet, and this is where you can findout what is going on in Spain.Here's one interesting article: the anti-THC inhibits learning through positive reinforcement
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11605080&dopt=AbstractHere's an article exploring how endocannabinoids are part of the body's natural response to intestinal irritation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11588110&dopt=AbstractThis one talks about the vanilloid receptor, which is involved in neuropath pain and bladder problems in old people, this article suggests that the cannabinoid receptor and the vanilloid receptor share some properties, so the best hope fo the future treatment of these age-related problems could be a combined vannailoid receptor agonist with a cannabinoid:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11587243&dopt=AbstractWe had all this publicity recently about how marijuana is bad for the heart because the heart rate goes up a bit immediately after smoking and this could be very dangerous for people prone to arrhythmia. But here's a team of scientists from Tomsk in Siberia that claims that cannabinoids actually SUPPRESS arrhythmia:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11558437&dopt=AbstractNow here's an anti-tumor article about a synthetic cannabinoid they call AJA, they say that "AJA proved to be approximately one-half as potent as THC in inhibiting tumor growth in vitro against a variety of neoplastic cell lines. However, its in vitro effects lasted longer.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11551521&dopt=AbstractThey say that this is a promising anti-tumor agent.Here is yet another in the LONG string of articles that explores the marvelous neuroprotective properties of THC:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11517236&dopt=AbstractWhew I'm tired now, somebody else take over. Between Jan 1, 2000 and today, there were 632 articles published about cannabinoids! That's a lot to keep track of. No wonder the Prohiban is able to make such a big deal out of the few negative pieces of research out there -- you could just drown in the articles that show the benefits of cannabinoids. Who can keep track of them?
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Comment #9 posted by kaptinemo on October 30, 2001 at 16:34:55 PT:
WB, Doc!
And I'm glad to see your efforts are being taken seriously over there. (As they should be everywhere, dammit!)Just one question: was there any followup on why the University of Madrid is not further investigating the glial cell cancer fighting properties of THC? Other than the one report, we've heard nothing here (of course; can't expect the corp-rat media here to pick up and run with that particular ball) but there's been absolutely nothing on the 'Net, either. Any word?
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Comment #8 posted by Ethan Russo MD on October 30, 2001 at 15:31:35 PT:
Another Thing
The BBC will be showing a program on clinical cannabis on its newsprogram, Panorama (their equivalent of 60 Minutes) on Sunday:http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/audiovideo/programmes/panorama/newsid_1625000/1625124.stmHopefully this will be available online at some point. We should make an effort to get local PBS affiliates to pick it up. The producer consulted with me, although I did not make the final cut to be included in the program. She will be sending me a tape, and if nothing else, I can make a report on the contents.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 30, 2001 at 15:30:21 PT
Welcome Home Dr. Russo!
It sure is good to see you back safe and sound and with such a good report. Don't mind my fixin to die rag post. I find it easier to laugh these days sometimes.
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Comment #6 posted by Ethan Russo MD on October 30, 2001 at 15:24:11 PT:
European Report
Dear Cannabisnews.com Colleagues,
I have been in Europe again the past 11 days. I was in Grenada, Spain to assist in a successful thesis defense on cannabis, and give a talk at the University there. Interest was intense. I was interviewed twice for the Andalucian TV, and twice by newspapers. My friend said that we were on the news all week as a result.
I then went to Berlin for the International Association of Cannabis as Medicine Conference, which was well attended. As usual, the Europeans think that we are crazy. At a time when the Amerikan hierarchy is retrenching its resistance, banning hemp products, busting cannabis clubs, harassing doctors, scheduling research compounds like HU-211, European governments are allowing genuine reform. Decriminalization schemes such as those in Portugal, Holland, Belgium, et al., are widely seen as successful, and positive developments. Holland is continuing to encourage clinical cannabis research, but is allowing its provision and prescription from pharmacies in the meantime, because it is the reasonable and compassionate thing to do. England is rendering possession essentially legal.Genuine medical research with cannabis derivatives is going on in multiple European countries, while our government continues its resistance. Europe understands the threat of Sept. 11, but is not allowing a deterioration in civil rights, nor a loss of the spirit of freedom.This appears to be a case where others will need to lead, and we will have to hope that the positive examples will rub off on us later. Canada is light years ahead on reform. Their legal system and basic laws are extremely similar to ours. Why is the interpretation so different?We are preoccupied. The news is filled with things that are "more important." It is a convenient excuse, but it will not serve in the larger scheme.I hope that you will not be driven to despair. There is hope in the world. We are merely in the shadow now, and have to reach for the light.
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Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on October 30, 2001 at 12:27:29 PT
I care about journalism, too
I edited my college paper for two years. I was baptized in the fire of campus politics. I was made responsible for the accuracy of things that I approved for publication and I was made responsible for whether I made my reporters verify the accuracy of what appeared in our pages.It's so tragically true that marijuana prohibition depends on bad journalism.This is a nightmare to anyone who has ever been dedicated to the cause of informing the public.Sue Killen made an assertion that was easily disprovable by a small amount of research in the kinds of databases that news organizations have ready access to every day.How could professional journalists NOT spend the five minutes necessary to check whether she was correct in her assertion?
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 30, 2001 at 11:41:49 PT
My Current Motto! LOL!
I say eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall die! LOL!
Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Afghanistan
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Afghanistan;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
http://www.countryjoe.com/rag.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~dbyd/Fish2.htm
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on October 30, 2001 at 11:21:55 PT
ahh victory is sweet
It's so much fun to watch what's happening over there....one day it will happen here as well. It's like watching the end of the Wizard of Oz with the "former" drug tsar as the man behind the curtain. They've quickly adapted their rhetoric to be "commercial selling of cannabis" is the gateway to more use, now that the possession and personal use issue is lost forever to them. However, I predict that their current arguments won't be heeded by the gov't for very long - the gravy train of easy cannabis arrests has been cut off, so the law enforcement constituency just got up and left the anti-drug party, or they soon will. Tracking down the actual dealers and cannabis businessmen is actually a lot of hard work for each arrest, soon the cops won't give a hoot whether it's sold in stores or not.It's like they're playing a soccer game and half the anti- team just got red carded. They'll fight on for a while but their inevitable defeat is just around the corner. The house of cards collapses.........
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Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on October 30, 2001 at 11:16:07 PT:
Don't worry, friends; it won't last
There'll be cannabis cafes all over the UK in 5 years, despite what the dinosaurs are saying. Maybe even sooner, if the economy takes a downturn, and the Labourites are thrown out by a coalition of more forward thinking pols. Stranger things have happened.
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Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on October 30, 2001 at 11:10:34 PT
Journalists who don't check facts?
Ms Killen stressed that supplying cannabis will remain illegal because the evidence suggested that allowing commercial sales increased the amount of users. They're getting huge mileage out of this assertion. How tragic that she can count on the BCC to fail to check whether her assertion is correct.
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