The legalisation of cannabis is once again in the headlines. Following the death of his 21-year-old son Rupert Green, Lord Monson has called for a ‘war on skunk’ and the legalisation of less potent forms of cannabis. According to his father, Rupert became addicted to skunk, developed paranoia and psychosis, and took his own life.
His death is yet another reminder that young people remain at the sharp end of cannabis policy. Monson argues that legalisation would allow users to understand it better and help them avoid strains which are more likely to cause psychosis. ‘That is no different from our approach to alcohol. No one needs to drink moonshine whisky which makes them blind, they can buy legal whiskey,’ he said. But when he reputedly raised the issue of legalisation with a former cabinet minister, he was told that the Tories feared the ‘Daily Mail mindset’ too much to consider relaxing the laws.
Teenagers and young adults are the group with the easiest access to cannabis.
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