Government are so backwards it hurts

[Jono]

I don't mind whether cannabis is legal or not in the UK.

I see it as another opportunity for the government to tax on (like alcohol and tobacco). However, one must consider the cost to the NHS. Those taxes would unlikely cover the extended cost to treating those with illnesses relating to cannabis. Resources are stretched enough as it is.

I do find the statement regarding health quite contradictory when alcohol and tobacco are perfectly legal. Although to say there are no health risks is also wrong, particularly if one intends to smoke cannabis. Anyway, restrictions can be put in place to regulate consumption of cannabis, just like alcohol and tobacco are already.

I too am fairly certain that it would bring it out of the black market, as well as providing proper cannabis for people to use; rather than the potential risk of dodgy stuff. It would also mean police resources can be addressed elsewhere.

I can see both pros and cons to the suggestion and if it were to be legalised we want to be sure before proceeding.

People often use the argument of the cost of the NHS, but even with tobacco, the total NHS cost of treating smoking-related illnesses per year is substantially less than the money gained from tax. With cannabis, the harmful defects from smoking it are there, but substantially lower than tobacco. This twinned with an industry which will see exponential growth (See the US states where is has been legalized.) will ensure that legalizing Cannabis, in every way, will be profitable for the current government.


And even in regards to the 'Doggy stuff' inside Cannabis. What exactly is it? I hear people exclaiming how there could be rat poision smuggled into it..News flash, you can't really cut cannabis with anything. The only risk of contamination really, would be in regards to fertilizers and such, and realistically, there's probably more shit going into the vegetables and such.

But I don't think the police actually give a shit. I've been caught at 11PM at night, and had spoken to a couple of officers whom were searching for a missing persons. They smelt it, and did not give a single shit. Didn't even question it. I think for the most part, they have bigger fish to fry.

If you smoke it in the streets, then you deserve to be arrested as it's selfish. Not everyone wants to smell it or breath it in etc. If you're going out of your way to avoid people, then I think for the most part, the police leave you alone.