Saturday 13 February 2016

Drop the skunk and raise the Justice

Richard Branson thinks skunk is worse than alcohol but hash is safer.

Hash is made from cannabis; the stronger the cannabis and the stronger the hash, if it is made carefully and cleanly; hash is usually stronger, more concentrated, than the plant used to make it.

Skunk was a name given to one particular hybrid which has now been used extensively to produce other hybrids.

The ratio of THC and CBD differs in different strains and hybrids, of bud and of hash made from it.

Some people prefer higher or lower levels of THC and CBD - over the last decade or two, strains with high THC and lower levels of CBD were introduced into a market that was thought to want high THC even at the "cost" of CBD.

THC and CBD are just two cannabinoids in cannabis and have different effects.

More recently, the advantages for many people of the higher CBD level plants has encouraged breeders to change their plants to other strains.

That has nothing to do with the fact that cannabis production and supply are illegal - it has happened also in Holland and countries where cannabis is available.

To suggest that "skunk" is as bad as alcohol is just ignorance - what type of alcohol; what quantity - what type of consumer?

The effects of cannabis are a result of set and setting; yes the chemical constituents, yes the quantity, yes the surroundings, but also very importantly the mental state and mood of the consumer; also whether it is eaten, smoked or vaporised or used with tobacco.

For sure, the variety of cannabis strains available is less under prohibition than where supply is legal or tolerated (USA, Spain, Holland, for example). People have less choice and are more likely to be offered be offered contaminated cannabis or cannabis of unknown strength, or even other drugs, under prohibition. But in those places many users still choose the high THC low CBD varieties that others may not.

There is no way to protect consumers under prohibition and prohibition actually increases risk of and actual harm.

BUT IS ANY OF THAT RELEVANT TO THE LAW?

To the question: SHOULD A DRUG USER BE PUNISHED IF THEY HAVE DONE NO HARM?

Unless legalisation includes controls on strains, which would not make sense, it would not stop the stronger varieties being sold but would give people more choices.

No Victim No Crime; Justice for cannabis users. Drop the word skunk."

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