Cannabis
If there is a classic example of a difficult problem which does not lend itself to simplistic slogans or one-dimensional solutions it is how society should deal with drugs in general and cannabis in particular.
The most annoying slogan which I heard constantly while a student and has reared its ugly head again to some extent more recently is
"Cannabis is no more dangerous than alcohol and tobacco."
Since both alcohol abuse and smoking can kill, this is not a high bar.
If either the consumption of alcoholic drinks or smoking tobacco had previously been unknown but were discovered tomorrow I doubt if any government on the planet would licence either activity for general use.
Even the milder forms of recreational cannabis which were around a couple of generations ago could and did cause some people serious damage. The stronger forms which are available today on the black market carry a significantly greater risk.
On the other hand, there are a lot of substances which are dangerous if improperly used but which under medical supervision can be extremely valuable in treating various illnesses and conditions.
Cannabis is one of these substances and I have believed for a long time that the medicinal use of cannabis under the supervision of a properly qualified doctor should be legal.
Recreational use is a lot more difficult. Some people manage to use cannabis for recreational purposes without being harmed, but others do not. Outright legalisation of the drug for recreational purposes would send young people the signal that it's safe, and for in many cases cannabis is nothing of the kind.
Sajid Javid's approach of reviewing the medicinal use of cannabis with the intention of making it available to those such as epileptics for whom it will have genuine benefits while remaining controls on the recreational use of the drug strikes me as drawing a difficult balance in about the right place.
The most annoying slogan which I heard constantly while a student and has reared its ugly head again to some extent more recently is
"Cannabis is no more dangerous than alcohol and tobacco."
Since both alcohol abuse and smoking can kill, this is not a high bar.
If either the consumption of alcoholic drinks or smoking tobacco had previously been unknown but were discovered tomorrow I doubt if any government on the planet would licence either activity for general use.
Even the milder forms of recreational cannabis which were around a couple of generations ago could and did cause some people serious damage. The stronger forms which are available today on the black market carry a significantly greater risk.
On the other hand, there are a lot of substances which are dangerous if improperly used but which under medical supervision can be extremely valuable in treating various illnesses and conditions.
Cannabis is one of these substances and I have believed for a long time that the medicinal use of cannabis under the supervision of a properly qualified doctor should be legal.
Recreational use is a lot more difficult. Some people manage to use cannabis for recreational purposes without being harmed, but others do not. Outright legalisation of the drug for recreational purposes would send young people the signal that it's safe, and for in many cases cannabis is nothing of the kind.
Sajid Javid's approach of reviewing the medicinal use of cannabis with the intention of making it available to those such as epileptics for whom it will have genuine benefits while remaining controls on the recreational use of the drug strikes me as drawing a difficult balance in about the right place.
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