FORUM: Time for mature approach to cannabis

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Charlotte McClean argues that making cannabis illegal is not working. Teenagers, in particular, need to be taught that the drug trade funds organised crime

Published: September 8: 2011

CANNABIS. The word has many different connotations for different people: fun, apathy, money, poverty, crime.

For some, it is also strongly associated with the word “youth”. To legalise or not to legalise: that is the question. Advocates for the legalisation of cannabis argue that the drug itself is not harmful to society, whereas legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco are. Those opposing legalisation argue that cannabis is an extremely dangerous drug which can cause serious psychological problems in users.

But how would the legalisation of cannabis affect young people and what are their views on the issue?

There is an extremely broad spectrum of opinions among teenagers, ranging from: “It would be a cowardly move from the government” to “It’s basically legal anyway.”

The latter view is particularly concerning.

Cannabis use is rife among teenagers and many don’t seem to realise the potential harm it can cause.

Some even condemn smoking tobacco as “a waste, when you can have a spliff.”

Perhaps legalisation would support this mindset – something that is legal can’t be that harmful, right?

On the other hand, as Steve Rolles, senior policy analyst at Transform Drug Policy Foundation (TDPF), an organisation that supports legalisation, says: “It is likely that cannabis use would be safer if legal products were sold with health information and safety warnings.”

A key issue here is whether part of the attraction of smoking cannabis is its illegality.

If this attraction were removed, would there be less incentive to use the drug?

Perhaps legalisation would, paradoxically, signal a decrease in cannabis consumption among young people.

Yet studies appear to show that the “forbidden fruit” effect is not a key factor in drug use.

“People use cannabis because they like it, not because of peer pressure, although this may be a factor,” says Rolles.

As a young person surrounded by peers who use drugs, it is clear to see that making them illegal is simply not working. Drugs currently have such a negative impact on society, throwing many into crime, disease, poverty and unhappiness.

The government’s stance needs to be changed. Education is needed about the negative impacts of cannabis use, and teens need to be shown that purchasing cannabis often funds organised crime, prostitution and violence.

Pushing this line would affect young people much more, because teenagers are more compassionate than some adults seem to think.

A calm, dignified and mature conversation about the legalisation of drugs is more effective than saying you can’t do it. And the issue needs to be addressed seriously, because the problem of drug abuse is not going to go away any time soon.

As Rolles advises: “The best way to prevent first use among young people is to offer them meaningful activities and alternatives.”

• This article appears in the latest On Road magazine, produced by Fitzrovia Youth in Action. Charlotte McClean is studying at Camden School for Girls.