Cannabis has been available in the UK for hundreds of years
Varieties of cannabis plant have been grown in the UK for hundreds of years with this being on record as early as 1800. At that time it was cultivated purely as a source of fibre for sacking, ropes and rigging for boats and it was known only as Hemp. However, in the East, especially in Asia and China, Cannabis and its uses have been known about for many years. Its first documented use is unbelievably way back in 2800 BC when it was listed in pharmacopoeia related to Emperor Shen Nung.
Cannabis use as a medicinal drug
There was no awareness of the medicinal or intoxicating properties of Cannabis in the West until 1840, when a William O’Shaugnessy introduced it as having medicinal properties on his return to the UK from a trip to India. He brought with him some plants and it was not long before the Victorians hailed it a wonder drug. It ended up being used to treat everything including Tetanus, Cholera and even mental illness. It was usually prepared as a tincture and the dose was taken as drops on a lump of sugar or piece of bread.
What is interesting is that within a relatively short span of 50 years, the Victorian golden age of Cannabis being a wonder drug was over. The House of Commons even decided to conduct an enquiry into its use, as there was clear evidence from India that the drug had dangerous side effects and the Government of India had openly declared that their mental asylums were full of Ganga (Cannabis) smokers. It was declared by a UK member of parliament in 1890 as being one of “the most horrible intoxicants the world has yet produced.”
Cannabis as an illegal drug
Early regulation of Cannabis in the UK came with the need to constrain the use of drugs for unregulated medicinal and recreational purposes. The Dangerous Drugs Act was introduced in 1920 that restricted the sales and possession of opium, heroin and Cocaine. A few years later in 1928 the Dangerous Drugs Act was updated to restrict Cannabis production, sales and use and Cannabis is today classified as an illegal Class B drug.
Fast forwarding to the 21st Century, Cannabis is now by far the most widely cultivated, trafficked and abused illegal drug in the world. There is a staggering statistic that worldwide there are 147 million cannabis users which equates to 2.5% of the world’s population so it is a multi-billion dollar business for growers, traffickers and dealers. There is an argument that we have lost the war on stopping this drug being available but we should not give up the fight because of the potential damaging consequences to our society as we know it. There has been a huge surge in the production of Cannabis being farmed in the UK, even in residential areas, where houses are being turned over to propagate an illegal Cannabis crop and the Police are trying to tackle this.
THC in Cannabis
One thing that has definitely changed over the years is the higher strength of Cannabis that is being produced from cultivating different plants to produce a “higher quality” product. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, Cannabis production produced a THC content of less than 2%. THC is Tetrahydrocannabinol which is a Cannabinoid found in Cannabis which is the principal psychoactive constituent. Today, THC levels can commonly be as high as 15% or more and concentrated products like oils and edibles can have a THC content as staggeringly high as 90%. The more potent a drug and its high, then the more addictive it can be. People argue that if cannabis was legalised, then the THC content could be controlled, making it safer. This reason is not valid as, even if the THC in legal cannabis was set at a much lower level, there would still be higher strains available on the illegal market which some people would undoubtedly choose to obtain and use over a weaker strain.
Disadvantages of cannabis
The adverse effects of cannabis use have been known for many years through continued medical studies and, with the progression of taking drugs, it is a drug that is usually started at a young age.
- Cannabis impairs cognitive development which slows learning capacity. The brain is not fully developed until the age of around 25 so that using the drug from a young age can have serious developmental consequences for the brain.
- Smoking as little as 20mg of THC in cannabis can impair someone’s ability to use mechanical machinery for as long as 24 hours. There is a heightened risk of a road accident if driving when intoxicated with Cannabis.
- Cannabis addiction or dependence syndrome can easily develop which leads to a loss of control of when to use. From a young age the body becomes dependent on the drug and builds up a tolerance, which results in us starting to use more frequently to try and maintain a “high.”
- Cannabis use can exacerbate paranoia and schizophrenia after prolonged daily use.
- Cannabis used during pregnancy is associated with the impairment of foetal development.
- Apart from affecting the functioning of the brain and being associated with mental conditions, continued Cannabis use with a high THC can also damage the functioning of the heart and lungs. Ongoing medical studies are being carried out to see if there is a cancer link connected to smoking Cannabis.
- At The Haynes Clinic we have seen how drug addiction or dependency on Cannabis has badly affected people’s life areas such as social, health, work and financial. Continual use has led to isolation and depressive mental episodes including paranoia.
- Cannabis is a gateway drug that leads on to use of other even stronger drugs.
Another reason for not allowing Cannabis to be legalised in the UK is that, by allowing the recreational use, there is evidence that it would create more drug related criminal offences with an increase in the overall crime rate (after all alcohol is legal and undoubtedly contributes to the crime rate). If there is no police deterrent, more people will try the drug. If a younger population tries legal recreational cannabis and gains a dependency, this could affect their brain development. There is very clear evidence that drug use is associated with anti social behaviour and therefore if Cannabis were legalised and used by more people, there is a real risk of an increase in widespread anti social behaviour. The drug of the 60s that was associated with “Peace” and “Love” has been replaced by a completely different drug that bears no comparison. As such it has completely different short to long term adverse effects on the body.
Such a drug should not become available online or over the counter in the corner shop.
The Haynes Clinic offers a confidential help line and free assessments at the clinic or over a telephone call please ring 01462 851414