Pubdate: Sun, 15 Sep 2013
Source: Observer, The (UK)
Copyright: 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited
Contact:  http://www.observer.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/315

Narcotics

WE CAN'T HIDE FROM THE REALITIES OF THE DRUGS ECONOMY ANY LONGER

In 2002, about 15% of the cannabis sold in Britain had high levels of 
THC, the ingredient linked to psychosis and commonly found in the 
strain of the drug known as skunk. By 2008, this figure had increased 
to 80%. The proportion may be even higher now: the paucity of data 
makes what is happening in Britain's drugs culture difficult to track.

Indeed, it can be argued that if Britain wants to tackle its drugs 
problem, it needs to address its information problem first. The 
hysteria surrounding the threat posed by skunk and a failure to 
understand the dynamics that have made it popular are axiomatic. Fear 
thrives on ignorance. But, in a polarised, often emotive, debate, 
there is little room for the facts to get in the way of ideology. You 
are either for prohibition or you are against.

It is clear, though, that this view cannot be sustained. Across the 
world, countries are deviating from the prohibition line. The US 
states of Colorado and Washington have voted in favour of cannabis 
legalisation. In South Australia, possession of small quantities of 
cannabis has been decriminalised. Uruguay is introducing a legal 
marijuana cultivation business.

It is pointless ignoring this trend. Countries cannot hold back the 
tide. The best they can do is to understand the problem and follow 
the evidence of what works. Therefore, the publication of today's 
report by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, examining 
how a licensed and regulated cannabis market could look in the UK, is 
a welcome development. The institute is not claiming its report 
offers anything other than an impression of what the policy could 
entail. It accepts many factors are unknowns. But it does provide a 
starting point for an important debate that will not go away.

Understanding the drugs economy helps us better understand how 
regulation can play a part in that debate. Skunk, after all, can be 
seen as a market response. It is produced domestically, indoors, and 
under intense growing conditions. History suggests that prohibition 
results in ever stronger strains of drugs. If this is what we want we 
are going about it the right way.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom