PRESS RELEASE - 7th February 2002

DEPRESSION IS EVERYWHERE

You don't have to smoke Cannabis to be depressed and anxious about the world!

The reefer madness cavalry are out again trying to stop the sensible regulation of a commonly used substance. They would rather keep it in the hands and realms of criminals. Those more interested in making profits than caring about health concerns from drug use and abuse.

First it was 30 times stronger, then it was psychosis, and now it is claimed cannabis causes depression. We look forward to reading the research when it is released, until then we can only speculate as to this study's results and design.

For years we've been flagging problematic cannabis use and pointing to various initiatives that would solve many issues. We've also warned of the inevitable health crisis being created by prohibition. Excessive, continual use of cannabis may pose dangers. Especially hydroponically grown cannabis (hydro) which is different from conventionally grown outdoor cannabis. Hydro now dominates the Australian black market in cannabis. Most youth smoke a mix of hydro mulled with tobacco through a bong. A toxic cocktail and addictive because of the nicotine in the tobacco.

It is overtly simplistic to blame cannabis for depression. Evidence suggests that used medically, the organic whole plant is actually helpful in calming depression!

The sadness is that it is prohibition which is keeping cannabis use out of the domain of regulation. Thus not allowing appropriate health information to credibly reach the community, youth especially. Cannabis use ought to be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue. Cannabis use needs to be decriminalised, and the plant re-legalised and regulated Australia-wide. Research should be done into medical, industrial and the social use of cannabis.

People ought to be able to grow their own plants, and also to go to regulated outlets to purchase non-polluted cannabis and access health and harm minimisation information and services. At the moment they are scared to talk openly about their drug use, their polydrug use. Meanwhile many people are self-medicating with cannabis to manage their health, or depression and anger at the state of their world, the lack of respect for people and their lack of opportunities; their powerlessness!!

Being unjustly branded a criminal also creates depression, as does paying $300 to $600 an ounce for a herb that has attracted humans throughout the ages and could be grown in any backyard.

Michael Balderstone
Nimbin HEMP Embassy