Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring cannabis to 
Class B. In 2002 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) - which 
will soon complete its latest report on the subject, with oral evidence 
being heard on February 5 - said: "Since cannabis use has only been 
commonplace in the past 30 years there may be worse news to come."

That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents highlighted 
in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to the Social Justice 
Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and updated this month. The 
worst of it is undoubtedly the neuro-psychological damage suffered by the 
increasingly younger users among the 500 people per week seeking treatment 
for cannabis use. When cannabis was downgraded in 2004 we were promised a 
public health campaign on cannabis and mental illness.

Further impairment of the central nervous system is evidenced in the changed 
personality and declining academic performance, dependence, aggression, 
adversely affected driving and progression to other drugs, all covered in 
this comprehensive scientific document, sent to the ACMD and endorsed by the 
undersigned. Also reported are the harms caused to the immune, reproductive, 
cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals, not only to the young 
people of Britain but all over the world, where other countries are watching 
our every move.

Professor Heather Ashton

Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of Newcastle

Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP

Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor in Chief, The Journal 
of Global Drug Policy and Practice

Dr Ian Oliver

Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian Police and 
International Consultant on Drugs to the UN

Dr Anthony Seldon

Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett

Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs

David Raynes

International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs Enforcement Consultant and 
member of the International task Force on Strategic Drug Policy

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3260784.ece

On 28 jan, 00:51, "Harry McCulla" 
wrote:
> Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring cannabis to
> Class B. In 2002 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) - which
> will soon complete its latest report on the subject, with oral evidence
> being heard on February 5 - said: "Since cannabis use has only been
> commonplace in the past 30 years there may be worse news to come."
>
> That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents highlighted
> in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to the Social Justice
> Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and updated this month. The
> worst of it is undoubtedly the neuro-psychological damage suffered by the
> increasingly younger users among the 500 people per week seeking treatment
> for cannabis use. When cannabis was downgraded in 2004 we were promised a
> public health campaign on cannabis and mental illness.
>
> Further impairment of the central nervous system is evidenced in the changed
> personality and declining academic performance, dependence, aggression,
> adversely affected driving and progression to other drugs, all covered in
> this comprehensive scientific document, sent to the ACMD and endorsed by the
> undersigned. Also reported are the harms caused to the immune, reproductive,
> cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
>
> The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals, not only to the young
> people of Britain but all over the world, where other countries are watching
> our every move.
>
> Professor Heather Ashton
>
> Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of Newcastle
>
> Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP
>
> Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor in Chief, The Journal
> of Global Drug Policy and Practice
>
> Dr Ian Oliver
>
> Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian Police and
> International Consultant on Drugs to the UN
>
> Dr Anthony Seldon
>
> Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett
>
> Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs
>
> David Raynes
>
> International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs Enforcement Consultant and
> member of the International task Force on Strategic Drug Policy
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3260784.ece

Just one look at a webpage from Mary Brett has convinced me we're
dealing
with unadulterated narconazi propaganda here:

http://trushare.com/High%20Time/Brett.htm

"Dr Robert Gilkeson, an American researcher said, "It makes great
people average, average people dumb, and causes more organic brain
damage than any other drug of abuse except perhaps the very end stages
of alcoholism".

This is permanent brain damage we're talking about - slow, subtle,
insidious and cumulative."

"In cancer terms, one joint is estimated to be the equivalent of five
cigarettes."

Lies perpetuated by hypocrite narconazi scum in a feeble attempt to
demonize cannabis.

Noticed at Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:51:24 +0000: Harry McCulla informed us:

> Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring cannabis to 
> Class B. In 2002 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) - which 
> will soon complete its latest report on the subject, with oral evidence 
> being heard on February 5 - said: "Since cannabis use has only been 
> commonplace in the past 30 years there may be worse news to come."

Thirty years? It was 40 years ago that Sir Mick Jagger was busted and it
was popular before then.

http://www.ukcia.org/potculture/67/1967.html

> That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents highlighted 
> in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to the Social Justice 
> Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and updated this month. The 
> worst of it is undoubtedly the neuro-psychological damage suffered by the 
> increasingly younger users among the 500 people per week seeking treatment 
> for cannabis use. When cannabis was downgraded in 2004 we were promised a 
> public health campaign on cannabis and mental illness.

Ah, the 500 is becoming a legend, just like the 30 times stronger
cannabis. The actual figure is 14:

http://www.drugscope.org.uk/newsandevents/currentnewspages/Telegraph-cannabis-stats-response.htm

> Further impairment of the central nervous system is evidenced in the changed 
> personality and declining academic performance, dependence, aggression, 
> adversely affected driving and progression to other drugs, all covered in 
> this comprehensive scientific document, sent to the ACMD and endorsed by the 
> undersigned. Also reported are the harms caused to the immune, reproductive, 
> cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

All of which has been debunked.


> The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals, not only to the young 
> people of Britain but all over the world, where other countries are watching 
> our every move.

The young people of Britain (and the older people of Britain) pay
absolutely NO ATTENTION to the classification of drugs. This is evidenced
by the use falling since reclassification. If the above was true, use
would have risen, it hasn't.

> Professor Heather Ashton
> 
> Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of Newcastle
> 
> Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP
> 
> Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor in Chief, The Journal 
> of Global Drug Policy and Practice
> 
> Dr Ian Oliver
> 
> Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian Police and 
> International Consultant on Drugs to the UN
> 
> Dr Anthony Seldon
> 
> Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett
> 
> Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs
> 
> David Raynes
> 
> International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs Enforcement Consultant and 
> member of the International task Force on Strategic Drug Policy

Who has an agenda with cannabis users, due to events in the late 1990s,
and who has yet to disassociate himself and the NDPA from
Narconon/Scientology.

> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3260784.ece
-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

Sent as a "have your say" to this article:

Has cannabis only been popular for 30 years? It was 40 years ago next
month that Sir Mick Jagger was busted, and cannabis was popular before
that, William Burroughs wrote about it in the 1950s.

The 500 people per week seeking treatment is becoming a legend, just as
the now discredited claim of it being 30 times stronger now than at some
unspecified date in the past (usually when Home Secretaries used it). The
actual figure, as discovered by DrugScope from the source data for this
claim, is 14 per week.

http://www.drugscope.org.uk/newsandevents/currentnewspages/Telegraph-cannabis-stats-response.htm

Most of the adverse effects listed have been debunked, for example the
Governments Transport Research Laboratory found that people under the
influence of cannabis drive more slowly, and as a result have fewer
accidents.

The young people of Britain (and the older people of Britain) pay
absolutely NO ATTENTION to the classification of drugs. This is evidenced
by the use falling since reclassification. If they did, use would have
risen since reclassification, it hasn't.

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

Noticed at Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:25:44 +0000: Dr John Watson informed us:

> Sent as a "have your say" to this article:

Which has not appeared, although 2 other comments have. I think it's
because I show that the 500 per week seeking hospital treatment is really
14, according to DrugScope. 500 / week should be put in the bin along with
the 30 times stronger bullshit.

This lie is NOT what the forces of oppression want known before the ACMD
meets.

It's political censorship, in this great, democratic, dictatorship.

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

sobriquet wrote:
> On 28 jan, 00:51, "Harry McCulla" 
> wrote:
>> Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring
>> cannabis to Class B....

<SNIP>
> "Dr Robert Gilkeson, an American researcher said, "It makes great
> people average, average people dumb, and causes more organic brain
> damage than any other drug of abuse except perhaps the very end stages
> of alcoholism".

Average! What has he been drinking?

How about:

Richard Fynman 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman

Carl Sagan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan

Lewis Wolpert
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Wolpert

For lots more see:
http://www.slatts.ukfsn.org/famous.htm

Slatts

In article <fnlbqn$1qus$1@energise.enta.net> "Sla#s"  writes:
>sobriquet wrote:
>> On 28 jan, 00:51, "Harry McCulla" 
>> wrote:
>>> Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring
>>> cannabis to Class B....

><SNIP>
>> "Dr Robert Gilkeson, an American researcher said, "It makes great
>> people average, average people dumb, and causes more organic brain
>> damage than any other drug of abuse except perhaps the very end stages
>> of alcoholism".

>Average! What has he been drinking?
>
>How about:
>
>Richard Fynman 
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman
>
>Carl Sagan
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan
>
>Lewis Wolpert
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Wolpert
>
>For lots more see:
>http://www.slatts.ukfsn.org/famous.htm

But, if those people *hadn't* used cannabis, just think how much greater they
would have been!

;^)

-Pete Zakel
 (phz@seeheader.nospam)

"The Kennedy Constant:
	Don't get mad -- get even."

On 28 jan, 00:51, "Harry McCulla" 
wrote:
> Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring cannabis to
> Class B. In 2002 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) - which
> will soon complete its latest report on the subject, with oral evidence
> being heard on February 5 - said: "Since cannabis use has only been
> commonplace in the past 30 years there may be worse news to come."
>
> That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents highlighted
> in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to the Social Justice
> Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and updated this month.


Can anyone find the actual report by Mary Brett online somewhere that
is being referred to here?


> The
> worst of it is undoubtedly the neuro-psychological damage suffered by the
> increasingly younger users among the 500 people per week seeking treatment
> for cannabis use. When cannabis was downgraded in 2004 we were promised a
> public health campaign on cannabis and mental illness.
>
> Further impairment of the central nervous system is evidenced in the changed
> personality and declining academic performance, dependence, aggression,
> adversely affected driving and progression to other drugs, all covered in
> this comprehensive scientific document, sent to the ACMD and endorsed by the
> undersigned. Also reported are the harms caused to the immune, reproductive,
> cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
>
> The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals, not only to the young
> people of Britain but all over the world, where other countries are watching
> our every move.
>
> Professor Heather Ashton
>
> Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of Newcastle
>
> Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP
>
> Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor in Chief, The Journal
> of Global Drug Policy and Practice
>
> Dr Ian Oliver
>
> Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian Police and
> International Consultant on Drugs to the UN
>
> Dr Anthony Seldon
>
> Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett
>
> Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs
>
> David Raynes
>
> International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs Enforcement Consultant and
> member of the International task Force on Strategic Drug Policy
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3260784.ece

On 28 Jan, 00:51, "Harry McCulla" 
wrote:
> Sir, There are numerous very compelling reasons for restoring cannabis to
> Class B. In 2002 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) - which
> will soon complete its latest report on the subject, with oral evidence
> being heard on February 5 - said: "Since cannabis use has only been
> commonplace in the past 30 years there may be worse news to come."
>
> That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents highlighted
> in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to the Social Justice
> Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and updated this month. The
> worst of it is undoubtedly the neuro-psychological damage suffered by the
> increasingly younger users among the 500 people per week seeking treatment
> for cannabis use. When cannabis was downgraded in 2004 we were promised a
> public health campaign on cannabis and mental illness.
>
> Further impairment of the central nervous system is evidenced in the changed
> personality and declining academic performance, dependence, aggression,
> adversely affected driving and progression to other drugs, all covered in
> this comprehensive scientific document, sent to the ACMD and endorsed by the
> undersigned. Also reported are the harms caused to the immune, reproductive,
> cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
>
> The regrading of cannabis would send strong signals, not only to the young
> people of Britain but all over the world, where other countries are watching
> our every move.
>
> Professor Heather Ashton
>
> Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of Newcastle
>
> Professor Eric Voth, MD, FACP
>
> Chairman, Institute on Global Drug Policy, and Editor in Chief, The Journal
> of Global Drug Policy and Practice
>
> Dr Ian Oliver
>
> Former Chief Constable of Central Scotland and Grampian Police and
> International Consultant on Drugs to the UN
>
> Dr Anthony Seldon
>
> Master, Wellington College, Berksmary brett
>
> Biologist, UK Spokesman for Europe Against Drugs
>
> David Raynes
>
> International, Customs, Organised Crime & Drugs Enforcement Consultant and
> member of the International task Force on Strategic Drug Policy
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3260784.ece

I've posted the following email to Professor Heather Ashton
(c.h.ashton@ncl.ac.uk) and I'm curious to see if she will respond:

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello.


Recently the following article has come to my attention:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article3260784.ece


I happen to be a passionate cannabis user who is extremely disgruntled
about the fact that people who happen to prefer cannabis are being
criminalized in our society while we hypocritically allow adults to
consume alcohol freely.

Nobody has ever died as a direct consequence of using cannabis, while
alcohol is not

only potentially fatal in case of chronic or even acute abuse, but
even the withdrawal

effects are potentially fatal.

Now it seems there is a kind of demonization campaign in the media
that is intended to justify re-classifying cannabis from class C to
class B and we hear about totally ridiculous claims like 500 people
seeking help for their cannabis habit on a weekly basis.


http://www.drugscope.org.uk/newsandevents/currentnewspages/Telegraph-cannabis-stats-response.htm


Also, lies are being spread like cannabis causing cancer and
braindamage by people like Mary Brett.

If I just look at a page like this, it really makes me extremely angry
to read claims that have been thoroughly debunked by scientific
research:


http://trushare.com/High%20Time/Brett.htm

For instance a claim like:

"In cancer terms, one joint is estimated to be the equivalent of five
cigarettes."


While there is pretty solid evidence that smoking cannabis doesn't
cause any cancer whatsoever:


http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0002491F-755F-1473-B55F83414B7F0000


Or a claim like:

"This is permanent brain damage we're talking about - slow, subtle,
insidious and cumulative."

While this claim about cannabis causing braindamage has also been
debunked:

http://www.marijuanalibrary.org/Exposing_08_1095.html

I'm really sick and tired of reading lies like that and I'm sick and
tired of being criminalized for my preference of a less harmful drug
like cannabis while many adults can abuse all the alcohol they like
without any legal consequences whatsoever.

I would like to urge you VERY STRONGLY to withdraw your support to
this paper by Mary Brett because it amounts to ABUSE of science in
order to perpetuate myths and lies and advocates continued
criminalization and demonization of cannabis.

Kind regards, Niek Sprakel

p.s. I've also published this letter in the newsgroups
talk.politics.drugs and uk.politics.drugs and I would appreciate it if
you took the time to respond and allow me to publish your reply online
as well.

On Jan 29, 12:19 am, sobriquet  wrote:
> On 28 jan, 00:51, "Harry McCulla" 
> wrote:
>
> > That "worse news" is all too apparent in the research documents highlighted
> > in another report, written by Mary Brett and submitted to the Social Justice
> > Policy Group (Addictions), published in 2006 and updated this month.
>
> Can anyone find the actual report by Mary Brett online somewhere that
> is being referred to here?

You could check http://www.eurad.net/ ... in fact, it might be this
sack of crap: http://www.eurad.net/pdf/Report.pdf .