Germany has recently made a significant move by decriminalising cannabis.
Meanwhile, In the UK, it remains illegal and there are no plans to change this.
The government cites concerns about potential metal health risks associated with cannabis consumption. But are they well founded?
When weighing these risks against the current legal status of alcohol and tobacco, does it make sense to keep cannabis illegal?
Dangers of tobacco and alcohol
Despite their well-known health risks, these substances remain legal and regulated.
For instance, heavy alcohol use is associated with a significant risk of depression, affecting one in two individuals.
It’s also strongly associated with a number of cancers. In fact, drinking even small amounts of alcohol is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women.
And that’s not even considering the short-term societal effects of drunkenness – just go to a town centre on a Friday night and you’ll see the effects of alcohol first hand.
Similarly, tobacco carries a host of health hazards, including various cancers, heart disease, and stroke.
Cigarette smoking is also strongly associated with psychotic disorders such as psychosis and schizophrenia.
Cannabis and mental health
Numerous studies have looked into how cannabis affects mental health, and there is a clear connection between cannabis and psychosis.
However, the relationship has not proved to be causative, and there are a number of studies suggesting that individuals who are more susceptible to developing psychosis are more likely to use cannabis.
Other studies suggest that the more cannabis you consume and the more often you use it, the higher the chances of experiencing negative effects like psychosis.
However, it’s essential to note that only a small fraction of cannabis users actually develop psychosis.
One study even suggested that preventing one person from using cannabis would require preventing tens of thousands of others from doing so.
So, overall, the risk to mental health from cannabis seems relatively low.
Additionally, cannabis poses little danger to physical health as it’s non-toxic and pretty much impossible to overdose on.
Health benefits
Decriminalising cannabis could lead to several public health benefits.
In the UK, many cannabis users mix it with tobacco when smoking, inadvertently exposing themselves to the risks associated with tobacco use.
Moreover, the lack of regulation in the illicit cannabis market poses further health risks due to uncertain potency and potential contaminants.
By legalising or decriminalising cannabis, the government could implement quality control measures and provide accurate information to users, thereby reducing associated health risks.
Despite the widespread use of cannabis in the UK, major political parties have shown reluctance to change its legal status.
Economic benefits
From an economic perspective, legalising cannabis could also prove beneficial.
In Germany, the estimated annual tax revenue from legalising cannabis is substantial, amounting to €4.7 billion (£4 billion).
Such revenue could significantly contribute to public finances, particularly in areas like healthcare, which are under strain.
In summary, while concerns about the health effects of cannabis should be considered, they should be weighed against currently legal substances like alcohol and tobacco.
Decriminalising or legalising cannabis could not only mitigate associated health risks but also yield economic benefits for the country.
Therefore, let’s just hurry up and legalise it!
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