PM gets tough on marijuana dangers

[postman]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17596296-2,00.html

PM gets tough on marijuana dangers

From:

By Tony Vermeer

 

December 18, 2005

 

 

THE Federal Government is planning a national anti-marijuana campaign to combat community perceptions that it is a relatively harmless drug.

Prime Minister John Howard has criticised health experts for adopting what he says is a "relaxed" attitude to marijuana in comparison with the attack on tobacco.

 

And he has called on states and territories to abandon a decade of decriminalisation and introduce tougher laws to deter marijuana users.

 

"It amazes me that we can be so zealous in dissuading people from smoking - and I used to smoke, I'm not a cleanskin - we're really up front about that ... but the same people who are virtually criminalising smoking are prepared to take a relaxed attitude to marijuana," he told The Sunday Telegraph last week.

 

Mr Howard said there was overwhelming evidence that marijuana posed greater health risks than it used to, and the Government would launch a further campaign in 2006 to highlight the risks.

 

"We really do have to completely disabuse people of this notion that there's a safe use of marijuana," he said.

 

"It's just not a safe drug. It can have life-long effects; it can lead to depression, other forms of mental disorders. It can lead people to other drugs.

 

"Any state that has decriminalised marijuana should reconsider that decriminalisation, and any states that are considering it should not."

 

Although there are signs that marijuana use has declined in recent years, cannabis remains the most popular illicit drug in Australia, with 33 per cent of the population aged 14 and over having used it in their lifetime.

 

Other research has shown that more 12- to 15-year-olds have tried cannabis than have smoked tobacco.

 

Offenders in NSW are cautioned for possessing small amounts of the drug.

 

Mr Howard said there was a clear link between marijuana usage and suicides.

 

"We're playing a very heavy price in mental health breakdowns for over-indulgence of so-called safe drugs.

 

"Marijuana is far less safe now than it was in the '70s."

 

The Prime Minister's comments won support from community workers involved in helping chronic cannabis abusers.

 

The Salvation Army's Captain Paul Morrice, who runs a recovery farm for drug addicts at Morisset, said society appeared to have gradually accepted marijuana use and considered it little different to alcohol.

 

"It's getting to the socially accepted stage, and I think that's dangerous. It's not socially acceptable, it's not good for you, and it can be addictive."

 

Thirty-year-old former user Greg Driscoll said he had become a cannabis addict after smoking as many as 150 cones a day in his water pipe or bong.

 

"It started with just a smoke once a week with my mates.

 

"Then it was every second day, and then it was every day for most of the day.

 

"For a while, I didn't think there was anything wrong. I knew better than everyone else."

 

Mr Driscoll, who is recovering at Morisset, said his 10-year habit had eventually left him unable to function normally.

 

"I couldn't work or go down to the shops to get something to cook," he said.

 

Paul Dillon, of the Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, said an official campaign would not deter users.

 

"It will reinforce those who have decided not to do it, and may be useful for those considering it," Mr Dillon said.

 

There was no evidence marijuana was getting stronger, he said.

[dsyfer]

150 cones a day, that is one cone every 6 minutes for 16hours, BULLSHIT

[Tom]

Alcohol kills, tobacco kills, crystal meth kills, heroin kills, etc, etc, etc, and in the process they destroy families, communities and are highly addictive so why the hell do they keep picking on mj? Easy answer, Howard has been listening to Bush's DEA crap again, mj is a gateway drug after all.

 

Paul Dillon, of the Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, said an official campaign would not deter users.

 

"It will reinforce those who have decided not to do it, and may be useful for those considering it," Mr Dillon said.

 

There was no evidence marijuana was getting stronger, he said.

Howard doesn't need evidence, he has someone to tell him what to think. They have been crying wolf about mj for so long that no-one believes them about any of the more dangerous drugs.

 

 

[WantDaChronic]

"We really do have to completely disabuse people of this notion that there's a safe use of marijuana," he said.

 

if howard's "health experts" studied, they would know that eating and using a vape are by far "safe" methods of consumption...

 

"We're playing a very heavy price in mental health breakdowns for over-indulgence of so-called safe drugs.

 

"Marijuana is far less safe now than it was in the '70s."

 

ok so because stoners take a few hits from a bong, that makes them want to die? great logic in thinking that the reality of the matter is a person who is suicidal and smoking marijuana is doing so because they relise life is shit and they might as well sit around smoking bongs...i should know, i have been in that position myself and honestly the only thing that pulled me through that time was marijuana so saying that it makes a person suicidal makes me pretty angry

[jabez]

Other research has shown that more 12- to 15-year-olds have tried cannabis than have smoked tobacco.

 

Well no shit you dont need an I.D to get some herb, and weed is a gateway drug but its the law that makes it a gateway drug not the plant.

This is how it works kids listen to parents and teachers saying that cannabis is evil and can turn you insane from one puff of a joint, then these kids find out that there peers dont know what there talking about so they think if they were wrong about cannabis then maybe there wrong about all those other drugs.

[jabez]

the reality of the matter is a person who is suicidal and smoking marijuana is doing so because they relise life is shit and they might as well sit around smoking bongs...i should know, i have been in that position myself and honestly the only thing that pulled me through that time was marijuana so saying that it makes a person suicidal makes me pretty angry

 

I've been in the exact same position, but just watch people laugh in your face when you try to tell them that you use it to self medicate your self with.

[Frazz]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17596296-2,00.html

PM gets tough on marijuana dangers

From:

By Tony Vermeer

 

December 18, 2005

 

Prime Minister John Howard

 

And he has called on states and territories to abandon a decade of decriminalisation and introduce tougher laws to deter marijuana users.

 

Mr Howard said "Any state that has decriminalised marijuana should reconsider that decriminalisation, and any states that are considering it should not."

 

 

"Marijuana is far less safe now than it was in the '70s."

 

 

 

Paul Dillon, of the Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, said

 

There was no evidence marijuana was getting stronger.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

This bastard howard is coming for us smokers....and he's driving a freakin steam roller! :reallyexcited:

he's got the power over parliment to pass any kind of law he decides... pretty much

cant wait to see the lies he broadcasts about cannabis....this will just be another repressive assault on cannabis culture and those associated with it, and all paid for with taxpayers dollars

It'll bring a whole new meaning to the wardrobe grow and further stigmatize those who regard the the plant as a "girlfriend", or a hobby

be prepared to move further undergrond fellow growers :angry:

 

:smoke

[Guest niall]

THE Federal Government is planning a national anti-marijuana campaign to combat community perceptions that it is a relatively harmless drug.

 

Notice Johnny doesn't explain why it is not a harmless drug?

 

Mr Howard said there was overwhelming evidence that marijuana posed greater health risks than it used to, and the Government would launch a further campaign in 2006 to highlight the risks.

 

Notice he doesn't elaborate?

 

And he has called on states and territories to abandon a decade of decriminalisation and introduce tougher laws to deter marijuana users.

 

Although there are signs that marijuana use has declined in recent years, cannabis remains the most popular illicit drug in Australia, with 33 per cent of the population aged 14 and over having used it in their lifetime.

 

Notice he sidesteps the obvious question here - under decrim use is falling or the same as other regions that haven't decriminalised.

 

"Marijuana is far less safe now than it was in the '70s."

 

Howso Johnny?

 

The Prime Minister's comments won support from...

 

Hmm, is there an election coming? I noticed Mr Howard just made some comments about brining nativity scenes back into shopping centres... hmmmmm

 

There was no evidence marijuana was getting stronger, he said.

 

Indeed, so what is Johnny hinting at here? How is cannabis any more dangerous or risky or harmful than cannabis used in the 70s? Is he talking about cannabis, or the way it is used, or the number of people abusing it vs. responsible, occasional use, or potency, or......? He's left it entirely open, just made some vague comments and mentioned a "link" to suicide. Nothing much to respond to or criticise, no real solution is offered (education campaigns should be conducted regardless Johnny), and he's managed to bring the religious-right on board in the face of rapidly diminishing support for the Liberal party.

 

Not happy John.

[mull]

Tru Frazzle, we'll dig in deeper. They are only strengthening the grower's resolve.

Unfortunately they are also keeping the prices up, or fortunately, however you look at it. I just see a value being put upon an invaluable plant, which in turn raises the risk/s to the grower.

 

"Mr Howard said there was a clear link between marijuana usage and suicides."

 

Well he wasn't quoted, nor did he say what that link is! Reason? It's a coincidental link, just as niccotine or caffiene usage could be linked to suicide.

 

 

 

Hey Wantda, I hear ya mate, Jabez too :smoke

All's good right now, today - thanks mj :thumbsup

[WantDaChronic]

well we all know johnny howard is just a puppet, i think he fears the states going against him and supporting medicinal use and decriminalisation because

"Any state that has decriminalised marijuana should reconsider that decriminalisation, and any states that are considering it should not."

so maybe what we should do is find out which of these people are supporting marijuana reform and vote them into power? i know if someone stood up and said they'll allow us to grow with permits that specify plant numbers, they would so be getting my vote :smoke