Here we go again - killer skunk 1,000,000,000X stronger than the 60's etc etc
Journalist Nicky Taylor travels to Amsterdam to investigate the growing debate about the legal classification of cannabis. While there she helps out in a coffee shop that sells the drug, and discovers first hand what the effects of cannabis are on everyday life. Back in the UK Nicky finds out about the genetically modified cannabis skunk, cheap and increasingly sold on the streets. The programme asks whether the drug can make you mad, if it is worse than alcohol and if it is stronger than it used to be. Nicky takes part in a month-long medical trial to find out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009nyxf
BBC3 Tonight - Should I Smoke Dope?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7314812.stmA mother-of-three who smoked cannabis for a month as part of a BBC documentary has described how the drug left her paranoid and frightened.
She said that the effects of a powerful version of the drug called "skunk" were "absolutely horrendous", though not long-lasting. Nicky Taylor, from Kidderminster, took part in the experiment in Amsterdam, where the drug is legal. She also became psychotic after an injection of an active ingredient of cannabis. This is not the first time Nicky has become a guinea pig - other programmes have seen her binge drinking, and undergoing plastic surgery.
Although scientific research has firmly linked cannabis use with health problems, the UK has, according to UNICEF, the third highest rate of use among young people in the Western world. Although she had previously used cannabis two decades ago at university, Nicky said that she wanted to find out what would happen to her children if any of them went on to take today's version of the drug. Some modern varieties are said to have up to five times higher levels of the active ingredient THC.
After taking a job at an Amsterdam coffee shop she smoked different varieties and strengths on a daily basis. Her experiences with "skunk" cannabis, she said, made her feel "irrational and paranoid".
"Some nights I couldn't sleep at all, and would be pacing my room, becoming more and more paranoid and thinking everyone I'd met at the cafe, as well as the BBC crew, was talking about me."
Although weaker types of cannabis did not have the same effect, she said that her ability to function properly was compromised, making it even more difficult than usual to perform tasks such as putting together flat pack furniture.
"The drug totally wrecked my mind," she said. "There is no way I would want to repeat it again. Nothing made much sense to me any more."
Another noticeable effect of the drug was on her appetite - she said she gained half a stone over the course of the month due to cravings for sweet and salty snacks.
After the month was over, she visited scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, where she was injected with THC alone, and THC with cannabinoid, the combination found in less potent cannabis. After the pure THC, she had a severe psychotic episode.
"I thought that the reasearchers conducting the episode were characters from a horror film. "I was thinking about jumping out of a window."
A psychological score taken during the experiment suggested that the level of her psychosis was greater than that found in some people suffering a schizophrenic attack.
Fortunately, after the end of the month-long experiment, she has suffered no long-term effects, but has vowed to try to keep her children away from the drug.
Martin Barnes, chief executive of charity Drugscope, said that most evidence about the potential health harms of cannabis had been gathered using lower-strength cannabis varieties.
"The average potency of cannabis available in the UK has increased, and while it is intuitive that greater harm potentially will arise from stronger forms of cannabis, people shouldn't assume that only the stronger types are harmful. A big issue is also the longer-term problems which may arise from cannabis use."
Being pedantic and knobbish since 1972
Tall Guy wrote:What a rubbish smoke report"The drug totally wrecked my mind,"Strain? Location? Taste? Price?? I'd expect better from the BBC.
Sounds good though
must have been an indica. but its true, to non smokers they cant understand that being completely wrecked is a good thing. Its what I go to dam for. I couldnt do it every day though.
injected pure THC?Boner wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7314812.stm
After the month was over, she visited scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, where she was injected with THC alone, and THC with cannabinoid, the combination found in less potent cannabis. After the pure THC, she had a severe psychotic episode.
wtf? I mean come on. If it was possible, we would at least know about it.
for one I'm scared to fuck by needles, but wouldnt some canadian have told us about it? how did they isolate the pure thc? I'd be interested.
the closest we get is budder, or bubble hash, but thats not pure thc, and I doubt you could inject it as its to gloopy.
somone explain???
i'm really surprised that any coffee shop owner would let that bitch through the door never mind give her a job!! & who injects THC thats one of the silliest fucking things i've ever heard. why let her do the experiment why not let a stoner do it, why i hear you ask because they couldn't have someone say they enjoy it and how it opens the mind, clams you down etc. bad times. 
The Labour government will use this show as a referance when they re-classify marijuana back to Class B.
For those that missed it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/ ... d=b009nyvf
Dont know if the BBC iPlayer works outside of the UK.
For those that missed it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/ ... d=b009nyvf
Dont know if the BBC iPlayer works outside of the UK.
Being pedantic and knobbish since 1972