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gray

Registered: 03/07/15
Posts: 127
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Smoking weed has halved in the UK
#21773242 - 06/07/15 09:08 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/smoking-weed-has-halved-in-the-uk-10296792.html
Despite sweeping legalisation and decriminalisation of the drug in the US and a nascent sense of 'why aren't we recognising that it's fairly harmless' circulating amongst rational human beings following a string of enlightening studies, use of marijuana is falling in the UK. Europe's drug agency (EMCDDA) published its annual report on drug use in the continent today, revealing that while cannabis use among 15 to 34 year olds has risen or remained steady in most countries over the last 15 years, in the UK it has halved. France, Denmark, Finland, Bulgaria and Sweden are only smoking more:
img (Source: EMCDDA) Spain and Germany have dipped a little, but the UK (England and Wales) has fallen dramatically: img (Source: EMCDDA) There could be several reasons for this, from the falling number of tobacco smokers due to the smoking ban and advertising limitations, to, as The Economist notes, the rise of more expensive, domestically grown "skunk" which is more likely to produce a higher frequency of 'bad experiences' than cannabis resin and people seeking medical help after prolonged use. Cocaine use is on the up in the UK, though it's unlikely weed smokers are switching to stimulants in droves, while legal highs are booming. Many of the latter are marketed as offering a cannabis-esque experience (whether that's really the case or not), which could present an option of getting high that feels safer to users. The decline in UK cannabis use is probably down to a combination of all of these factors, while the arbitrary and capricious drugs policy of the government can leave people confused over its illegality. While Obama suggests we 'follow the science, not the ideology' with regards to marijuana and Ireland considers decriminalising it, the issue is still a a long way from Parliament. At the current trajectory we will be among the last of the nations to legalise the drug, not only contributing to its decline in use in comparison to more progressive countries but sacrificing any potential financial benefits in the process.
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Beanhead
IS IRONIC PARADOX


Registered: 10/11/08
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Re: Smoking weed has halved in the UK [Re: gray]
#21773603 - 06/07/15 10:57 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Still holding up the skunk bullshit.
Yeah, I have a lot of friends in UK
bullshit
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mustangbob3
Mad Myrmecologist



Registered: 10/15/14
Posts: 1,685
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Re: Smoking weed has halved in the UK [Re: Beanhead]
#21773786 - 06/07/15 11:58 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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the only reason it would have gone down is cos we are all skint! the economy probs mean luxuries like cannabis have had to go for lots of people not out of choice but necessity .
why does that report completely ignore the fact british have never been worse off in most peoples lifetime
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: Smoking weed has halved in the UK [Re: mustangbob3]
#21777161 - 06/08/15 02:58 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Do they piss test in the UK?
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mustangbob3
Mad Myrmecologist



Registered: 10/15/14
Posts: 1,685
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Re: Smoking weed has halved in the UK [Re: Konyap]
#21777163 - 06/08/15 03:00 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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depends on your employer and type of job i suppose
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Toe_Jam
Bluefoot Bandit



Registered: 04/15/10
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Re: Smoking weed has halved in the UK [Re: gray]
#21778507 - 06/08/15 12:05 PM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
gray said: legal highs are booming. Many of the latter are marketed as offering a cannabis-esque experience (whether that's really the case or not), which could present an option of getting high that feels safer to users.
Actually it's quite a bit more dangerous. And that's a huge reason why the drug war is negative and extremely misguided.
-------------------- God lay his finger at the Mouth of the Serpent March 1984   A pleasing land of drowsy head it was, Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye, And of gay castles in the clouds that pass, For ever flushing round a summer sky. -Castle of Indolence
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Cepheus
Balance




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Re: Smoking weed has halved in the UK [Re: gray]
#21782800 - 06/09/15 11:17 AM (8 years, 7 months ago) |
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I think the largest factor is economic, what used to cost £20 now costs £40... so it makes sense that people are smoking half as much. Admittedly it is a lot better quality and very available compared to the lower grade cheaper stuff; why would anyone who is involved in the supply bother growing shit weed, when the whole market is pretty much domestic and the penalty is the same regardless of the quality?
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