cannabisnews.com: Extra-High Cannabis Theory Goes Up In Smoke 










  Extra-High Cannabis Theory Goes Up In Smoke 

Posted by CN Staff on June 26, 2004 at 07:40:05 PT
By Alan Travis, Home Affairs Editor 
Source: Guardian Unlimited UK 

The effective strength of cannabis consumed in Britain has remained stable for the past 30 years, according to a European Union study published today. The research says there is no evidence for claims that most cannabis consumed in Britain and the rest of Europe is now 10 times or more stronger than it was in the 70s. The US drugs "tsar" John Walters and toxicologist John Henry of St Mary's hospital in Paddington, west London, are among those who have warned that the cannabis available now bears little resemblance to that on the market 30 years ago, with serious health dangers for regular users.
The EU study says that the strength of the active ingredient - THC - has remained unchanged at about 6% for most of the cannabis smoked in Britain. It says the amount of cannabis put in the typical British joint has also remained constant for 20 years at about 200mg for marijuana and 150mg for resin. The results are based on analysis by the Forensic Science Service of cannabis seized by the police between 1995 and 2002. The study acknowledges that there has been an unknown increase in home-grown cannabis, which can be two to three times more potent, but says that more than 70% of the market is taken by the "traditional" imported Moroccan cannabis resin. Imported resin typically has a strength of 6% THC against 30% in the "skunk" and other super-strong strains that Professor Henry and others have warned against. Sinsemilla, the unpollinated plant which produces a powerful strain, has doubled in potency since 1995, but only from 6% to 12%. The research, published by the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction, is the first European review of the potency of cannabis. "There has been much speculation on the strength of cannabis available today, but little in the way of hard evidence," said its director, Georges Estievenart. He said the concerns that had been raised were worrying as cannabis was the most commonly used illicit drug in the EU, with many countries reporting that more than 20% of people had used it at some time in their lives. The study was complicated by the fact that not only do different types of cannabis such as resin or hash have different strengths, but potency also depends on the individual plant and on how and where it was grown. The vintage can also have an impact on its strength with THC breaking down at a rate of 17% a year if it is kept at room temperature. The report shows that the effective potency of cannabis in nearly all EU countries, including Britain, has remained at about 6%-8% THC in the last 30 years, with the only exception being the Netherlands, where by two years ago the strength of the average cannabis consumed had reached 16%. This is mainly due to the increasing availability of intensively produced home-grown cannabis in Holland. The EU report says that while herbal cannabis is most common in the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic, Britain remains in a group with Germany, Ireland and Portugal where the market is still dominated by imported cannabis resin mainly from Morocco. The authors say that they are concerned about the growth of higher potency intensively cultivated home-grown cannabis appearing in Europe. The report concludes it is possible that regular use of such higher potency cannabis could lead to health problems such as panic attacks and minor psychological problems, but as yet this kind of cannabis remains relatively rare. Special Report: Drugs in Britain: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/0,2759,178206,00.htmlSource: Guardian Unlimited, The (UK) Author: Alan Travis, Home Affairs EditorPublished: Saturday, June 26, 2004Copyright: 2004 Guardian Newspapers LimitedContact: letters guardian.co.ukWebsite: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Related Articles & Web Site:Advisory Council On The Misuse of Drugshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/reschedule.pdf Dope Alarm: Pot Potency Poses New Risk http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18844.shtmlBiggest Shake-Up of Britains Laws in 30 Yearshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18261.shtml

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help






 


Comment #28 posted by FoM on June 27, 2004 at 17:36:49 PT

Marijuana Growing in the National Parks
Zero_G You're welcome. I'm watching the Discovery Science Channel and they just did a piece on gardens in the Sequoia National Park. It was basically showing mercenery type people ( camouflage and all ) looking for and finding a big garden. They spent time talking about fertilizer contamination and kept showing Miracle Grow Plant Food. What's that all about I wondered. Miracle Grow Plant Food is used by almost everyone for one plant or another. What about the hazards to everyone not just the park because of the fertilizer. This kind of stuff makes me angry. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #27 posted by Zero_G on June 27, 2004 at 17:05:52 PT:

You're very welcome.
And thanks so much for what you do here.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #26 posted by FoM on June 27, 2004 at 16:52:50 PT

Zero_G 
I found the web site and it's really nice. I was surprised and very happy to see Cannabis News as one of their links too. Thanks!http://www.thecannabible.com/cannabible_volume_2/links.htm
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #25 posted by FoM on June 27, 2004 at 16:43:45 PT

Zero_G 
It's good to see you! Thanks for the information too.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #24 posted by Zero_G on June 27, 2004 at 16:39:44 PT:

Cannabible +
Hi All,I've been quiet for a long time, but thought I'd say HI...FoM for info on cannabis strains, stories, histories and some really nice photos check out the CANNABIBLE by Jason King. www.cannabible.comE.J. please read this:Interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski about how the US provoked the Soviet Union into invadingAfghanistan and starting the whole messLe Nouvel Observateur (France), Jan 15-21, 1998, p. 76*Question: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his
memoirs [From the Shadows], that American intelligence services
began to aid the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan six months before the
Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national
security adviser to President Carter. You therefore played a
role in this affair. Is that correct?Brzezinski: Yes. According to the official version of history,
CIA aid to the Mujahadeen began during 1980, that is to say,
after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, 24 Dec 1979. But the
reality, closely guarded until now, is completely otherwise:
Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the
first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet
regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the
president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid
was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.Question: Despite this risk, you were an advocate of this covert action. 
But perhaps you yourself desired this Soviet entry into war and
looked to provoke it?Brzezinski: It isn't quite that. We didn't push the Russians to
intervene, but we knowingly increased the probability that they
would.Question: When the Soviets justified their intervention by asserting
that they intended to fight against secret involvement of the
United States in Afghanistan, people didn't believe them. 
However, there was a basis of truth. You don't regret anything
today?Brzezinski: Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and
you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially
crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter, in substance: We
now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. 
Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war
unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about
the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.Question: And neither do you regret having supported the Islamic
fundamentalists, having given arms and advice to future
terrorists?Brzezinski: What is most important to the history of the world? The
Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up
Moslems or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the
cold war?**Question: Some stirred-up Moslems? But it has been said and repeated:
Islamic fundamentalism represents a world menace today.Brzezinski: Nonsense! It is said that the West had a global policy in
regard to Islam. That is stupid. There isn't a global Islam. 
Look at Islam in a rational manner and without demagoguery or
emotion. It is the leading religion of the world with 1.5
billion followers. But what is there in common among Saudi
Arabian fundamentalism, moderate Morocco, Pakistan militarism,
Egyptian pro-Western or Central Asian secularism? Nothing more
than what unites the Christian countries.* There are at least two editions of this magazine; with the
perhaps sole exception of the Library of Congress, the version
sent to the United States is shorter than the French version, and
the Brzezinski interview was not included in the shorter version.** It should be noted that there is no demonstrable connection between the Afghanistan war and the breakup of the Soviet Union
and its satellites.This interview was translated from the French by William Blum,
Author of "Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions
Since World War II" and "Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only
Superpower". Portions of the books can be read at:
http://members.aol.com/superogue/homepage.htm (with a link to
Killing Hope) 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #23 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on June 27, 2004 at 11:50:32 PT:

Response to E Johnson, Comment #11
Although Richard Nixon was not in Skull and Bones, he made a deal with the United States Department of State to allow Nazis into the USA while he was a Naval officer checking immigration documents at the end of WWII, according to the book entitled THE SECRET WAR AGAINST THE JEWS, by John Loftus, U.S. Dept. of Justice Nazi Hunter section attorney. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #22 posted by dididadadidit on June 27, 2004 at 11:37:22 PT

global_warming: How Walters Gets Around: Lie!
Johnny Pee Walters will get around this the same way he and this administration always get around unpleasant realities on the ground. He will repeat the same old lies and ignore the new contrary evidence. You may find the same old lies repeated more often and more loudly, as that seems to work quite well, as witness half the people in this country still believing Saddam's nephews flew two of the planes September 11th. In fact, george Whiskey bush and DICK (**** Yourself) cheney have showed Walters his playbook with their continuing adherence to their Iraq al Queda connections lies (more often and louder) as the 911 commission reports come out denying same.If the lies can be held together long enough, maybe the election can be close enough to steal again, rather than declaring martial law, cancelling elections, and declaring the chimp, furher for life.Cheers?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #21 posted by global_warming on June 26, 2004 at 14:26:36 PT

re:Ganda
"But scientists warned an increasing trend towards "home-grown" cannabis could lead to increased potency and subsequent health implications."As oppossed to what, controlled and regulated pharmacuetical grade , black market-crap shoot...?This article does shoot some "holes" in Mr. Walters repetitive speeches. Wonder how he will get around this new information?I suspect that Mr. Walters is sucking up to the judges and lawyers that are getting ready to opine on some of these recent decisions, that have put huge blockades in front of his dreams.When will Mr. Walters (a wretch) see, his actions have made a bad situation so much worse, for what, a few peices of silver, to appease the system?The people, your brothers and sisters, your community, on your street, have spoken, stop this war on people, stop the modern day crucifixions, stand up and raise your hand if you understand what it means to be a Christian.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #20 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 14:04:57 PT

Agog
Thank you. I'm not smart at all in this area.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #19 posted by Agog on June 26, 2004 at 13:48:16 PT

Red Haired Skunk - desirable? :)
I can only guess that it is a crossbred variant. Perhaps best characterized by its visual and aromatic qualities and effects. The red hairs seem to show up in the more tropical regions Africa, Central/Southern America, not sure about Asian varieties..... Fragrance from the indica side of things though....Sure sounds interesting. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.Agog
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #18 posted by E_Johnson on June 26, 2004 at 12:08:05 PT

I blame Andropov more than anyone
If the Soviet Union has never invaded Afghanistan, Bin Laden would be a nobody.They made that really horrible decision, and it lit the fire of the Islamic jihad all over the world.People who love to see America as the center of the Universe obsess over the CIA presence in Pakistan.America is not the center of the Universe. There are things that go on in the world that exist outside of what America wants and what America does.The real relationship that sparked all of this terror was the relationship between Soviet helicopters and Afghan villagers. That's where it all really began.And it pisses me off, frankly, that the dead old Soviet Union has managed to escape its share of blame.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #17 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 11:50:00 PT

Agog
Thank you. What is a red colored sativa that smells like Skunk called?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 11:48:23 PT

AlvinCool
Very interesting.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #15 posted by AlvinCool on June 26, 2004 at 11:15:39 PT

The biggest fact
Forgot to mention the biggest fact I didn't know. The reason the links to the Bin Ladin family are so important is the lengths we went to to catch their son.We used about 11,000 troups to try to subdue Afganistan and catch Bin Ladin, and failed.We used 130,000 troups in Iraq with almost zero justification.How bad did we really want Bin Ladin?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #14 posted by Agog on June 26, 2004 at 11:14:16 PT

Ahhh Skunk - FOM
Skunk #1 was originally a mixed hybrid. Afghani indica crossed with both Mexican and Columbian sativas ie: Columbian gold.  The idea was to keep the effects of the longer season sativas but packaged in the more compact indica plant. Smaller faster finishing plants producing a greater yield. It was a wonderful example of selective breeding ala Luther Burbank.Indicas (the shorter more squat plants) tend to have a more pungent distinctive and strong aroma... "skunky" Skunk #1 was especially fragrant. Now "skunk weed" has become a term like "xerox" Almost generic in usage due to all the cross breeding over the years. HTHAgog
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 11:12:21 PT

AlvinCool 
Thank You. Michael Moore is astounding at his ability to go and find out things the average person just wouldn't know how to find. I really wonder if the heart of terrorism is hidden in Saudia Arabia.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #12 posted by AlvinCool on June 26, 2004 at 11:04:07 PT

The additional facts
FoM, the best part are the facts I didn't know. Remember the document that showed he didn't take his last physical in the guard, leading people to suspect that he didn't fulfill his time? The name blacked out of the OTHER person that also didn't take his physical is a cousin of the Bin Ladin family! All my friends told me that Pappa Bush funded all those lost business ventures of Baby Bush, but he didn't. The money came from the same guy, via the Bin Ladin family! No wonder they didn't want people to know that.On Sept 13th all flights were still grounded but about to be resumed, only a few jets with Presidential authority were allowed to fly. They carried the Saudi ruling class including 20 of the Bin Ladin family members. Neither the FBI or CIA were allowed to speak with them to get statements on record with is not just very irregular, but bizzare considering the circumstances.The ties that the Bush family has with the Carlyle group, a Bin Ladin controlled group, is astonishing.Then there are the clips of Bush being himself that are always good for a gut rolling laugh no matter where they are seen. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on June 26, 2004 at 10:27:11 PT

Bill Buckley was in Skull and Bones
To me it's a red herring. Nixon didn't come from Skull and Bones, and neither did Stalin or Hitler.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #10 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on June 26, 2004 at 10:06:56 PT:

REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN
Back in the early 1960s, 13 members of the Council on Foreign Relations met once a month near Croton on the Hudson, in The State of New York ["The Empire State"], for two years, in "Iron Mountain", of their plans to create a New World Order, to depopulate the earth, enslave Americans economically, physically, mentally. This REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN is a memorialization of their meetings. THEY SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE USE OF BOGUS SCIENTIFIC STUDIES AND CONCLUSIONS, in this Report From Iron Mountain! One would expect fair minded Americans who compile the growing number of untruths told by the federal government to lose confidence in the federal government and consider voting for 3rd party candidates! The number of high level United States Department of Defense employees recently found to have bogus credentials! The inability of the United States Department of Defense to account for almost $3 Trillion in their audits!Americans believe "ANYBODY BUT BUSH"! Yet, John Kerry is just as bad! First of all, John Kerry is a member of Skull and Bones. Second of all, John Kerry's wife is the daughter of a New World Order advocate. Third of all, John Kerry hired a foreign policy advisor who worked for the Daddy Bush administration. Fourthly, John Kerry did not deserve the Purple Heart military award. John Kerry only suffered a scratch on his arm, according to Last Trumpet Newsletter, www.lasttrumpetministries.org, available for free subscription, with footnotes of their sources. Remember Janet Karpinski, the Brigadier General suspended for torture of prisoners? According to Last Trumpet Newsletter, supra, Janet Karpinski had been promoted to general after having been arrested for shoplifting a bottle of perfume from a store here in America. The U.S. Government is not about fairness or respect for freedom. The U.S. Government is about being friends with the right people. And this "New World Order" is moving closer and closer to foreign troops coming into America and visible to Americans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working on implanting Radio Frequency Identification ["RFID"] chips into homeless people! This is a trial run so they can implant ALL AMERICANS with an RFID chips, which would also control our minds, reducing the need for police. If this is what Americans want, then go ahead and vote for John Kerry or George Bush! As for me, I will vote EXCLUSIVELY for Ralph Nader, Libertarian Party, and Green Party candidates!!The laws against Cannabis are only a small part of the big picture. Check out the Complaint Of Genocide Against the Pharmaceutical Cartel, www.gulfwarillnesses.com/news/RATH.htm. I sent a letter supporting this complaint, to Dr. Rath's office. They told me it will be forwarded to The Hague.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 09:52:55 PT

Review of 'Fahrenheit 9/11' from The SFC
Moore film a hot ticket 'Fahrenheit 9/11' energizes the anti-Bush multitudes http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/06/26/FAHRENHEIT.TMP
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 09:35:52 PT

AlvinCool 
I can't wait to see it. What was the best part from your perspective?
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #7 posted by AlvinCool on June 26, 2004 at 09:31:49 PT

Off topic but important
I went to see Fahrenheit 9/11 last night. It's an amazing film. The facts presented are real facts and Moore simply puts them together as he see's fit. The turnout in my town topped the last Harry Potter film. It's simply amazing and got a standing ovation. (It is important to note that not one Republican actually disputes the facts at this time, just the conclusion!)So what can we do to convince Mr. Moore to make a film on the Drug War? It could easily be his next project if things are right.
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on June 26, 2004 at 08:58:58 PT

Nice that they specifically call out Walters
What a shame that people in England have to worry about Walters. If I was English, I would be outraged if the guy set foot on my soil.Remember when they egged Reagan's limo?
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #5 posted by Ganda on June 26, 2004 at 08:58:06 PT

they don't call it 'Super Skunk' for nowt!
.....
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 08:51:29 PT

Question
What is Skunk except cannabis this has the aroma of a Shunk ( but not offensive ). Why do they feel that Skunk is so much more potent? Maybe I'm missing something.
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #3 posted by Ganda on June 26, 2004 at 08:38:31 PT

they still have the nerve to come out with....
"But scientists warned an increasing trend towards "home-grown" cannabis could lead to increased potency and subsequent health implications."
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 08:16:07 PT

Related Article from The Mirror UK
Joints Are No Stronger Than 25 Years Ago - Euro Drug Experts By Oonagh BlackmanThe average cannabis joint is no stronger than it was 25 years ago, say EU experts. They have analysed official data from across the EU and concluded there have been no significant changes in cannabis potency.Levels of the drug's active ingredient - D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - has remained virtually constant.Cannabis resin (hashish) produced overseas comprised about 70 per cent of the UK market, with the rest being marijuana, around half of which was imported.On the typical British joint, the report said: "The absence of any decline in the amount of herbal cannabis or resin used may suggest there has been no long-term increase in the THC content of the average cigarette." But scientists warned an increasing trend towards "home-grown" cannabis could lead to increased potency and subsequent health implications.The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reported that the content of British reefers was constant at about 200 milligrams of herbal cannabis or 150mg of cannabis resin between 1979 and 2001.But the scientists' research seemed to suggest that the "Camberwell Carrot" - a huge joint shown in the cult 1986 British film Withnail and I - has largely remained fiction rather than facy.The experts concluded: "There is no evidence of a significant increase in potency."Source: Mirror, The (UK)Contact: mailbox mirror.co.ukCopyright: 2004 The MirrorWebsite: http://www.mirror.co.uk/
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 26, 2004 at 08:13:05 PT

I Agree
Now what will John Walters say?
[ Post Comment ]






  Post Comment