Is This Sensible?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45674260
In the light of a recent proclamation that dope is worse than booze for teens, are Canada right to encourage drug taking?

[Ken4155]

I think this may be a case of 'wait and see'. As Uruguay were mentioned in the link as the only other country to have done something similar, i turned to Google for some info. After a few delays, this move was implemented as recently as 2017 so there probably hasn't been enough time for the powers that be to assess what difference, if any, this has made to crime figures, health, extra revenue from taxes, etc. There they have a system whereby those buying the drug legally from the 16 authorised pharmacies must be registered, Urguyan nationals, over 18 and are allowed just 40g per month. ID is confirmed by fingerprint scanner at the point of sale. An interesting and brave move by the Canadians.

[ummmm]

Has no one been to Amsterdam?

[AuntLydia]

To answer the OP I don't think they are 'encouraging' drug taking, just making it legal to use in private and taking it away from the Black Market, and all that entails. It is still not legal in some provinces to consume alcohol in public places, not even taking a beer or bottle of wine on a picnic, so the consumption of Cannabis will more than likely be restricted to home use and in some bars. I think the UK should follow suit, with appropriate guidelines. The over consumption of Alcohol causes the NHS and Police forces much more money than Cannabis.

[Ken4155]

The Netherlands have never made cannabis legal, ummmm. They just decriminalised it. And, yes, i've been a few times :-)

[maggiebee]

I think that the UK has enough problems of it's own without worrying what Canada is up to. Watched 999 What's Your Emergency last night and the scenes with folk after taking "legal highs" was both shocking and very, very sad.

[ummmm]

Look at all the cafes. Although they have smoking ban now I believe ?

[ummmm]

Maggie - legal highs don't stay legal for long.

[Ken4155]

ummmm "but they have a smoking ban now, i believe." There's always the spacecakes, ummmm. There's always the spacecakes :-) :-)

[maggiebee]

No ummmm, laws are changing thank goodness. Unfortunately, when one source is closed down, another opens.

[ummmm]

I suppose the one good thing is they probably won't be legally selling things like skunk....which is dangerous.

[ummmm]

Ken - what if you're on a diet :-)

[youngmafbog]

"I suppose the one good thing is they probably won't be legally selling things like skunk....which is dangerous"

Unfortunately there will be legal users who will want to get more so I dont think the illegal drug usage will change, unless draconian laws are bought in to lock users and pushers up for very long stretches. Could be paid for from the tax on the legal Bob.

[ummmm]

If someone wants some gear and all the dealer has is skunk then they'll probably buy it. If they could get something less dangerous from a reputable source then that might actually be a good thing.

[spathiphyllum]

"that is such utter carp, I saw lots of young people go doolally from eating dope cake (and smoking joints' and that was in the days when it was far weaker). Cannabis can be so dangerous for those psychologically inclined to anxiety already, I don't understand why this is overlooked. Should never be legalised, I feel quite strongly about that."

"those psychologically inclined to anxiety already"

There is one thing to have a negative affect, and another to exaggerate existing issues. Some cannabis strains actually help with anxiety.

[sanmac]

"Is this sensible?", referring to dope. Well, it's about as sensible as their dope of a Prime Minister, Justine Trudy.

[Zacs-Master]

Tora, You might find the attached results of 5 years of legalisation in Washington & Colorado interesting:
https://news.lift.co/five-years-effects-legalization-colorado-washington-state/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/13/heres-how-legal-pot-changed-colorado-and-washington/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.0d8886231b7d

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/14/legal-marijuana-medical-use-crime-rate-plummets-us-study

[Prudie]

Spath you said "When it's eaten and not smoked there is literally 0 negative side affects for adults". That is untrue and a dangerous statement to make on an open website that the unaware may take as fact - having said that it's what I would have said when using at your age and didn't know any better.

[moggymay]

People suffering from anxiety are asked not to self medicate with recreational marijuana. Most often, recreational marijuana contains more THC rather than CBD.
THC is more of a psychoactive compound, while CBD is not psychoactive . Doctors may prescribe medical marijuana that has a higher concentration in CBD for Anxiety . Recreational Cannabis , containing more THC is known to trigger the amygdala area of the brain which is responsible for fear. This can actually cause anxiety and paranoia.
Smoking a joint to relieve anxiety is more than likely counter productive.

[ToraToraTora]

prudie/moggie, you are up against a drug dealer trying to shift their filth, don't look for logic.

[ummmm]

Who are accusing of being a drug dealer?