Smoked, eaten, imbibed — or just talked about — it seems the world has a strong taste for cannabis. An estimated one in five European adults has tried it. Over 13 million Europeans have consumed it in the past month. Globally, nearly 50 000 tonnes of cannabis herb or resin are produced for consumption every year. Little wonder, then, that cannabis has become a controversial cultural phenomenon.
On International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, cannabis went under the spotlight as the EMCDDA released its largest scientific monograph to date:
A cannabis reader: global issues and local experiences — Perspectives on cannabis contro-versies, treatment and regulation in Europe. In two volumes, and over 700 pages, leading European experts provide informed insight into a wide range of cannabis topics: from political, legislative, economic and social developments to prevention, treatment and healthcare.
EMCDDA Director Wolfgang Götz said: 'While cannabis is Europe’s most consumed illicit drug, it can also be a great divider, sparking frequent debates among policymakers, scientists, research-ers, law enforcers, drug professionals and citizens. As a result, the public is faced with a daily flood of information on cannabis — some of it well-founded, yet some campaigning in nature and at times misleading. This monograph is designed as an authoritative reference guide on this complex issue to inform research, debate and policymaking'.
A wide variety of laws and procedures exists in the EU Member States addressing cannabis with varying degrees of severity. The monograph describes the concerns expressed, particularly at UN level, that a 'soft line' on cannabis could endanger the overall international effort against drugs. It also traces recent developments in some countries where the balance is 'tipping back' in favour of more restrictive measures.
'A rise in concern is visible at international and national level', say the experts. Possible reasons include the recent reports of stronger strains of herbal cannabis and increased demand in requests for cannabis treatment. In 2005, over a quarter (29 %) of all new treatment demands were cannabis-related. Around 3 million Europeans are estimated to be using cannabis on a daily, or almost daily, basis. 'Overall, recorded cannabis potency has not increased dramatically in Europe in recent years', despite some alarmist reports to the contrary, say the experts. The .9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin imported into Europe has remained relatively stable over the last decade, with an average potency of around 5 %. 'But that is not to say that cannabis potency is a non-issue', the experts add. Clearly what has changed since the early 1990s in Europe is the appearance of high-strength herbal cannabis, domestically grown by intensive techniques, often with potencies of over 12 %. Home-grown 'sinsemilla', generally stronger than imported herbal cannabis, now comprises approximately half of the herbal market in Ireland, most of it in the Netherlands and almost all of it in the UK.
While media reports have tended to concentrate on the high-potency cases, the monograph stresses the 'wide range in recorded cannabis potency' in Europe. Potency can vary between different cannabis products (herbal, resin, oil), between different samples or even within the same sample. According to the study: 'The evidence from Europe does not support the widespread claims that cannabis potency is now 10 or more times greater than it was in earlier periods'.
The full pdf document can be read here:
EMCDDA | A cannabis reader: global issues and local experiences
09-03-2008, 09:30 AM
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