tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post731588010901312211..comments2023-09-20T11:15:28.673+01:00Comments on Transform Drug Policy Foundation Blog: Legalising Cannabis in Uruguay: Because someone has to be firstjanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15263261726046054614noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-59351649707630305162012-09-25T09:26:19.055+01:002012-09-25T09:26:19.055+01:00Transform's position has been that the medical...Transform's position has been that the medical cannabis issue needs to be kept sperate from discussion of non-medical regulation models. <br /><br />Our focus is on the latter, as are the proposals in Uruguay. There is obviously a cross over in that the politics around non medical use is a hinderance to R&D or availability of medical cannabis products, and also because if there was legal availability for non medical use the medical-use issues would largely dissapear anyway. <br /><br />That said, we feel the two issues and related campaigns should be kept seperate and conflating them is not helpful. Steve Rolleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11487781869462634203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-5940769027509985382012-09-25T02:34:10.807+01:002012-09-25T02:34:10.807+01:00I agree with peterreynolds, I would like to add th...I agree with peterreynolds, I would like to add the style of licensed outlet should be a blend of both dispensary and coffee shop model. Allowing for recreational use, but emphasis on its medicinal value treating it as a medicine first, recreation second. Introducing CBD rich strains, but also a variety of different strains with different cannabinoid profiles. Selling lab tested cannabis flower/concentrate and edibles for non smokers. Hopefully when regulated the hemp industry becomes larger and instead of cutting trees down which take years to grow back, they could grow fields of hemp which could help save the planet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-54302276685581757072012-09-24T19:46:38.794+01:002012-09-24T19:46:38.794+01:00No reasonable person suggests that cannabis is ent...No reasonable person suggests that cannabis is entirely harmless. However, for adults it is about as safe as any psychoactive substance can be and for 99.9% about as damaging as coffee. Therefore, unless you wish to go down the path of trying to change human nature, isn't it better to tax and regulate? This would better protect children and the vulnerable, ensure that users have access to safe, quality controlled, product, properly labelled with cannabinoid content. It would also enable us to realise the enormous therapeutic benefits of cannabis which are validated by scientific evidence more conclusively than many pharmaceutical products.<br /><br />Also, in Britain, it is time to expose the dishonest conspiracy over medicinal cannabis around GW Pharmaceuticals and Sativex. The Home Office, the MHRA and other government agencies are engaged in a deliberate, fraudulent, disinformation campaign to protect GW's unlawful monopoly. This is now proven through a tortuous process of FOI requests. When the scandal breaks it should justly result in prison for government ministers, senior civil servants and others. It goes right to the heart of corruption, conspiracy and betrayal of the people by our government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-880369555478254122012-09-24T11:54:45.227+01:002012-09-24T11:54:45.227+01:00Admittedly, there is a discussion to be had regard...Admittedly, there is a discussion to be had regarding the specifics of Uruguay’s initiative and in a broader context, about the impact such a model might have on other countries seeking alternatives to current drugs policies.<br /><br />At this juncture, though, one thing is crystal clear: any chance of finding and implementing alternative policies will be wasted unless producing and transit countries in Latin America receive a clear and unambiguous support from countries inside and outside the region. Talking of which:<br /><br />1. As a European citizen who looks in horror at the heinous consequences the so-called War on Drugs policies have had on drug producing and transit countries I cannot help but feel ashamed by the total lack of support of European countries for the call made by sitting Latin American presidents to engage in an open debate to find alternatives to current drugs policies. More on this here: bit.ly/L58gXx<br /><br />2. I do wholeheartedly welcome Uruguay’s initiative. So far, it is the only country in Latin America that seems to understand that decriminalising the demand while keeping the supply illegal is the worst of both worlds for producing & transit countries. I have no doubt it is going to be a difficult and challenging journey, but I hope the same rational approach will be applied to all drugs, not just marihuana. More on this here:bit.ly/PlsIa1<br /><br />3. Finally, I have to say I’m rather disappointed by the reaction of the current president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, to Uruguay's proposal. Instead of criticising Uruguay, Mr Santos could have said something along the lines: I support Uruguay but we need a regional response. So, let’s take this opportunity to unite around Uruguay and move the debate forward. Mr Santos' reaction could not be more disappointing, for in an interview he gave last year he said, and I quote: ’I would be crucified if I took the first step’ Well, I’m afraid it is Mr Santos who is now trying to crucify Uruguay for taking the first step! More on this here: bit.ly/MoGmqm<br /><br />Gart Valenc <br />Twitter: @gartvalencGart Valenchttp://www.stopthewarondrugs.orgnoreply@blogger.com