Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 Source: Times, The (UK) Copyright: 2005 Times Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.the-times.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454 Authors: Anna Wilbraham Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n483/a01.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS Sir, When I was a student nurse 30 years ago, the teaching we received on the misuse of drugs was that all drugs, hard or soft, should be considered dangerous (report, March 19). The rationale behind this was that any drug might be contaminated prior to purchase; that users may take drugs in conjunction with other substances, thus rendering them more dangerous; or that the use of drugs by someone with an existing medical condition may have a deleterious effect on the user. There is also the unknown and possibly unknowable risk of a catastrophic allergic reaction to the substance used, which may trigger severe shock or death. Yours, Anna Wilbraham - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager