Cannabis linked to mental illness risk

[TheeBadOne]

January 30 2005

Mental health campaigners are calling for a government inquiry into the effects of cannabis one year after the drug was reclassified from Class B to Class C.

Yesterday, the mental health charity Rethink said MPs on the health select committee should investigate possible links between cannabis and mental illness after the publication of several studies suggesting an association with psychosis.

Cliff Prior, Rethink's chief executive, said the number of people who use drugs and have mental illness has risen by 60 per cent in the past five years.

"There is a strongly held view that cannabis is risk-free, reflected in the rates of its use among young people," Mr Prior said. "Cannabis is not risk-free. There is a rapidly growing body of evidence showing that cannabis can trigger schizophrenia in people already at risk, and probably even in people who should only be low risk."

Tomorrow, hundreds of mental health campaigners will attend a rally outside Parliament to demand changes to the Government's mental health reforms. The draft Mental Health Bill, which has already undergone significant changes since it was published in 2002, has been opposed by psychiatrists, mental health campaigners and patients, who argue it is geared more towards compulsion than meeting patients' health needs.

The health minister Rosie Winterton said she would meet the marchers to reassure them their concerns would be heard. "This is the biggest change to mental health law for 50 years and it has rightly been subject to extensive consultation," she said.


article

[gregarat]

"Cannabis is not risk-free. There is a rapidly growing body of evidence showing that cannabis can trigger schizophrenia in people already at risk, and probably even in people who should only be low risk."

My GOD! There is such a thing as "Reefer Madness".

Seriously, 60% in five years? Where do these numbers come from?

[Andy L]

Makes you wonder, dont it gregarat?

I think alot of this stuff is bunk. If everyone, just on here, were honest, you would be amazed at how many have smoked pot at some time in their lives. Many, still do!!

I think its funny. Its taboo to talk about, but in a rural area like I live in, news gets around. I know doctors, lawyers, bankers, LEOs ect... lots of people that smoke that stuff. And even more, like me, that did in their youth.

If this study was true, well, it would be even scarier out there than it already is.

Andy

[skeet]

Holy Cow....And I always wondered about some of my friends!!
Seriously...I know a few people that should be institutionalized quickly if this is all true. Never used the stuff myself...but know plenty that did. I guess some still do. I don't ask...but still think it shouldn't be legal. Seen too many stoned out people

[Critch]

Uh, like whadya mean, man? I don't get it...want some chips......

[Jabba]

I am not a user, but I am pro legalization.

I just can't see how you can call for keeping it illegal when you have a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

Yes Pot is bad for you.

But so are smoking, drinking, and eating McDonalds. It's not the government's job to protect us from ourselves.

If you point to 2 cars and FORCE me to choose wether to ride with someone that's drunk or someone that's stoned... I'll take the stoned driver over the drunk one 7 days a week and twice on Sunday.

Jabba

[Skinny Shooter]

Originally posted by Jabba

I just can't see how you can call for keeping it illegal when you have a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

That's a good question.
When I drink a beer, it's for taste and normally stop at one. Don't smoke cigarettes either. The only thing I inhale these days are fresh Reeses peanut butter cups while at Hersheypark.
When I was younger and dumber I smoked pot occassionally. It wasn't for anything except to get high so for me there isn't a comparison between beer and pot.
I don't like an intrusive government either but in a civilized society we do have to follow some rules. Just not everyone agrees with them.
Now if marajahoochie was in the BOR I'd be singing a different tune.

Allen

[Jabba]

Originally posted by Skinny Shooter
Now if marajahoochie was in the BOR I'd be singing a different tune.

Allen

Beer ain't in the BOR and I'd guess that you'd oppose a re-enactment of prohibition wouldn't you?

Jabba

[Skinny Shooter]

You can have my Yuengling Lager when you pry it from my cold dead hands...

[Jabba]

Skinny, you and I would get along fine...

[Skinny Shooter]