The International community has aligned to fully support the Brown Government for its decision to reclassify cannabis to a B Class drug in the United Kingdom. Affiliates in drug prevention across the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, South America and Europe have united to congratulate Prime Minister Gordon Brown on taking the strong position.

Last week the Home Office in the United Kingdom announced that: “Cannabis will be reclassified as a Class B drug, sending a strong message that the drug is harmful and should not be taken’

Drug Free Australia Chair, Craig Thompson said today: “Right now, when the most reputable evidence points to the increased harms of cannabis, it is a timely decision and one that will set a precedent across the globe”.

The most recent, compelling evidence cannot be disregarded, said Josephine Baxter, Drug Free Australia’s Executive Officer. For instance, the Australian Medical Association (AMD) has issued warnings on the health risks associated with smoking marijuana. Risks of cannabis use include memory loss, psychosis, impaired driving, hallucinations, asthma, and even lung cancer. Moreover, warns the AMA, one third to one half of detained patients admitted to psychiatric units in Australia are there because marijuana use has precipitated a relapse’.

A new scientific study conducted in New Zealand indicates that long term cannabis use increases the risk of lung cancer in young adults. The risk of lung cancer increased by 8 per cent for each joint or year of use - that is a 10 year cannabis use increased the risk by 80 per cent. The study recognized that cannabis smoke has been shown to have greater concentrations of carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco. *(Source: European Respiratory Journal, February 2008, P280-6)

“The road fatalities caused by cannabis-intoxicated drivers, links to cannabis and psychosis, increased potency and birth defects are just a few issues of enormous concern”.

“Many national and international studies have found that drivers intoxicated with cannabis, pose a high risk of road accidents. For example a 10 year Victorian study found a 7 times greater risk of a fatal accident. Other studies clearly show that cannabis impairs car control, including the ability to stay in one lane, as well as slowing reaction time”. (ANCD Report, Dec 2004).
 

“Highly respected medical practitioners in Australia and overseas have confirmed that cannabis use is linked to psychosis. For example, Dr Brian Boettcher, Consulting Psychiatrist in the UK reports that ‘Cannabis is capable of precipitating psychosis, going on to the chronic cases in people who have had no family and personal history of psychiatric illness. There have been suggestions that such people may be the ones who have started cannabis in their teens’.

“Of great concern is the fact that many in the pro-cannabis lobby deny that there has been an increase in potency over the past 20 years.  This is quite erroneous, as there is definite evidence of stronger plants in more recent times. Indeed, increased potency is the very reason why the South Australian Government legislated to reduce the number of plants subject to expiation fee notices, from 10 to 1 hydroponically grown plant”.

So far as cannabis use and birth defects is concerned, a  Commonwealth Department of Health publication to medical practitioners warns about health risks such as impairment of foetal brain development, relative prematurity, smaller length and head circumference, malformations, higher rate of miscarriage and perinatal death.   A US study found a 10 times greater risk of non-lymphoblastic cancer to infants of marijuana-using mothers. Other effects in the new born are lethargy, slow to gain weight, increased startle reflexes, tremors and possible long--term developmental and behavioural effects. 

These defects, with recent knowledge about cannabis induced psychosis and schizophrenia point clearly to a drug that is much worse than those who advocate its legalisation would purport.

Gordon Brown and his Government have taken a strong and important stand for the health of our future generations. We can only hope that others with follow this example.