Pubdate: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 Source: Daily Mail (UK) Copyright: 2013 Associated Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/108 MENTAL HEALTH TOLL OF SKUNK CANNABIS MORE and more cannabis users are needing hospital treatment for mental disorders after smoking super-strength skunk, drug campaigners warned last night. The numbers admitted for treatment have increased by 50 per cent in three years and the campaigners blame permissive policing, including the use of cautions and spot fines. Mary Brett of Cannabis Skunk Sense said: 'We need an end to the authorities turning a blind eye to cannabis as if it is a harmless substance.' Department of Health figures show that in 2008-9 some 651 admissions were recorded in England relating to a diagnosis of 'mental or behavioural disorder due to use of cannabinoids'. For 2011-12, the figure had risen to more than 1,000. Skunk is five times as potent as traditional cannabis. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom