Expert Reaction: Government urged to consider legalising cannabis

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Posted on Tuesday 19 June 2018

Former Conservative party leader, William Hague, has urged the government to reconsider legalising cannabis. Lecturer in Mental Health, Ian Hamilton, at the University of York, reacts to the news:

Should cannabis be legalised?

“The calls for the government to review the law on cannabis are welcome but we need to think carefully about how this will impact on people who use cannabis for pleasure and those who believe it improves their health.

“Although cannabis does seem to offer health benefits some of the claims in relation to cancer and chronic pain have been exaggerated and give people false hope. And while the majority of those using cannabis will enjoy the drug there are some who develop problems such as dependency or psychosis.

“Any changes to the regulation of cannabis would need to consider how we reduce the potential for harm that such a change might bring.”

For more on this story visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44526156

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About this research

For more on Ian Hamilton research visit: https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2018/research/rising-number-of-older-and-female-cannabis-users/

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