The Cannabis Debate

The Cannabis Debate

The cannabis debate has never been a straightforward one. At the

beginning of the 21st century, perceptions and preconceptions about

cannabis and its uses have never been more blurred. Some see cannabis

as a menace to society whilst others see it as a useful source of

fibre, food and medicine. Doctors and scientists spend millions

investigating its medicinal value yet for every positive piece of

research, there is a negative. (Brownlee, 2003)

Cannabis is very widely grown and available, and is usually smoked

with or without tobacco. It is obtained as dried leaves or as a

resin. It induces feelings of well-being, relaxation and tranquility,

though it may also give rise to apprehension, anger and depression.

It is used both socially and for medicinal purposes.

There are lots of words used in the debate of cannabis, which have

different meanings, or different words with the same meaning. Here is

a description of a few of them.

The Oxford Dictionary of English 2nd Ed 2003 states that cannabis is

“a tall plant with a stiff upright stem, divided serrated leaves, and

glandular hairs (also Indian hemp). It is used to produce hemp fibre

and as a psychotropic drug. It is also called Indian hemp, and

Marijuana.” It goes on to say “ Cannabis sativa, family Cannabaceae

(or Cannabidaceae): two subspecies (sometimes considered two species),

C. s. sativa, which is chiefly used for hemp and C. s. indica, from

which the drug is usually obtained.” Cannabis is also “a dried

preparation of the flowering tops or other parts of the cannabis

plant, or a resinous extract of it (cannabis resin), used (generally

il...

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...nd Edition, 2003 Oxford University Press

Pudney, Stephen (2002), The road to ruin, Home office research

study253, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hors253.pdf

Runciman, DBE (1999), Report of the independent inquiry into the

misuse of drugs act 1971,

www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/runciman/pf7.htm

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Advisory Council’s Report on the Misuse of Drugs – The Classification

of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, March 2002

Karch, Steven (1997), A brief history of cocaine, CRC Press LLC

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/

http://www.cannabis.com/

http://www.decaturnet.org/drugfree/drugs.htm

http://www.doh.gov.uk/

http://www.drbongs.com/

http://www.thehia.org/index.html

http://www.urban75.org/legal/drugs.html

Cannabis leaf