PRESS RELEASE - 7th February 2002

DODGY SCIENCE IN POT STUDY

With respect to Professor George Patton and his colleagues at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, we are amazed that they didn't ask their study participants if they smoked tobacco with their Cannabis in the depression study.

If they have not allowed for the effect of nicotine in their research, then the study is invalid. Tobacco is a well-known depressant on the nervous system.

A research assistant, who was involved in the study, told us that participants "were not asked" about their use of tobacco. We understand that participants were asked about their alcohol use, but NOT other drugs.

Tobacco use in conjunction with Cannabis is a huge issue. Youth in Australia typically bong a mix of hydroponic pot and tobacco these days. The addictive nicotine drives them back to the bong repeatedly.

Nimbin HEMP has been calling for proper scientific research for years. It is disappointing to see yet again some half-baked effort with the potential to mislead the public.

Many people are actually self-medicating their depression by smoking Cannabis. So it's difficult to say that Cannabis is the causal factor behind their depression.

We think far too many young people are smoking far too much Cannabis, in part trying to deal with their depression. Criminalizing people is compounding their depression, no doubt.

Prohibition has created the unregulated marketing of Cannabis with no quality control. Also poor scientific studies, with an inadequate peer review process, undermine health services credibility on the issue.

Michael Balderstone
Nimbin HEMP Embassy