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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Expert says stop criminalising possession of cannabis Tom Belger Liverpool Echo Wednesday 15 Mar 2017 A Liverpool professor has called for the possession of cannabis to be de-criminalised. Harry Sumnall, an expert in substance use at Liverpool John Moores’ University, also said the drug could be helpful for people with a range of health problems. he professor said there was a clear need for a rethink of how society deals with use of the class B drug, which currently has a maximum five-year prison sentence for possession. Many readers also defended the drug and highlighted some of its benefits after the ECHO reported yesterday on some of the less well-known risks. Professor Sumnall said one of several models Britain could consider would see cannabis sold in specialist pharmacy-like shops, staffed by trained professionals also able to offer health advice. He said: “We could be much more open offering support if we remove the market from criminals. That’s where the problems are - the legal situation might be a barrier to people accessing services. “There are quality issues when people access it on the black market - with no control over the level of different chemicals. “At the moment we have products in the UK with a high level of THC chemicals, which could potentially be linked to mental health disorders for high-risk users. With a regulated market you could have a better balance. “You could license growing, do quality assurances on it and give users advice through licensed retailers. It’s unlikely at the moment, but a more gradual approach might be removing criminal penalties for possession and diverting people into education and advice instead.” He said cannabis did pose a risk to the mental health of a minority of smokers particularly susceptible to such problems, but could also have benefits. He said some people with multiple sclerosis, cancer and other conditions said it helped to reduce pain. He added that only around 3% of users could be considered “dependent”, a lower number than many other drugs One ECHO reader wrote on Facebook: “You go to any city centre on a Friday night and the main cause of any trouble is alcohol. The main problem a weed smoker will cause is eating all your crisps and chocolate.” Another wrote: “34 years smoking, five kids, two houses, own business, employing 16 people - no problems here.” One smoker previously told the ECHO it helped relieve his depression and insomnia. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/expert-says-stop-criminalising-possession-12742005
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