The Chronic Spot is a feature where I will be posting news relating to cannabis culture. If you have a News article you feel should be included, hit me up at neo@lonelystoner.net

According to British researcher Prof. David Nutt, the 20 most harmful drugs are as follows:

1. Heroin
2. Cocaine
3. Barbiturates
4. Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine
7. Benzodiazapines (Valium)
8. Amphetamine
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine
11. Marijuana
12. Solvents
13. 4-MTA (club drug)
14. LSD
15. Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
16. Anabolic Steroids
17. GHB
18. Ecstasy
19. Amyl Nitrates
20. Khat

See where alcohol and tobacco are (5th and 9th) compared with our beloved marijuana (11th).

Wait, hold on a minute – alcohol and tobacco are more harmful than marijuana. NO WAY!

Now Professor Nutt is the British Government’s chief drug adviser. In his report, Prof. Nutt stated that he accepts that cannabis can sometimes cause mental illness, but argues it is safer than tobacco and alcohol and, overall, does not lead to major health problems. He advocated for cannabis to be reclassified from a Class B drug (criminal) to a Class C drug (decriminalized).

So what did the British Government do with Prof. Nutt’s advice? Nothing. Instead the British Home Secretary, Alan Johnson asked him to resign his position as head of the The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the UK’s official drugs advisory body.

The Home Secretary stated that Prof. Nutt’s view did not reflect that of the Government. WELL NO SHIT DOUCHEBAG!

Prof Nutt stated that he was not prepared to “mislead” the public about the effects of drugs in order to convey a moral “message” on the government’s behalf. He was simply stating the facts.

This is a perfect example of politicians making laws as they see fit, regardless of evidence to the contrary. It helps with their petty party politics.

Kinda makes you think if the decisions made in parliament are actually for the benefit of the country and the public, or if they’re just for the benefit of the men (and women) in suits. I mean what is the point of having independent scientific advice if as soon as they get some advice that they don’t like, they sack the person who has given it to them.

Maybe all politicians are douchebags. Wait, I already knew that.