Drugs: The Great Cannabis Debate (From New Politics of Crime and Punishment, P 111-128, 2003, Roger Matthews and Jock Young, eds. -- See NCJ-202480)

• NCJ Number: 202483
• Author(s): Catriona Woolner; Betsy Thom
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter describes the use of and factors influencing the use of the drug cannabis in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

It is difficult to find a place or time when drugs in some form or another were not in common use in society. In addition, throughout the history of drug use different drugs have been defined as either good or bad with perceptions of drugs changing over the centuries. This chapter focuses on the drug cannabis. Cannabis is described, as well as the uses of cannabis as both a medicine and recreational drug. It addresses the events leading to its prohibition. Cannabis is reviewed as to why the British Home Secretary is considering its reclassification from a Class B to a Class C drug. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the future implications of relaxation of the law in relation to the drug in terms of decriminalization or even eventual legalization. References