NORMLIZER - SEPTEMBER 2007

Back in the ’30s, Harry J. Anslinger and William Randolph Hearst partnered up to defraud a naive press regarding a dangerous “killer” drug that causes psychosis: “marihuana.” Lately, a number of stories have appeared in the British press that smack of a modern smear campaign. Harrowing tales of “skunk,” a “new,” “super-potent” and “psychosis-inducing” form of cannabis have been printed.

Oh, man, here we go again down the Reefer Madness path. Here are five select headlines and excerpts of actual news coverage from the UK:

“Cannabis Psychosis—Off Your Head?”
As a series of new studies proves the link between cannabis dependency and mental illness, an Observer investigation reveals the plight of young users struggling to find help to deal with the disturbing effects of a drug once considered “safe.” (Observer, February 2006)

“Marijuana Link to Stabbing Murders”
Homicide squad detectives are investigating whether a mix of marijuana and mental illness was a factor in four murders in the past month. Drug counselors have warned super-potent, genetically modified dope grown in suburban houses is severely affecting some users. There are strong concerns among senior police at the links between cannabis-induced psychosis and killings and other violent crimes. (Herald Sun, July 2006)

“Cannabis Downgrading Blamed for Psychotic Killer Gangs”
Labour’s decision to downgrade cannabis has filled youths with a “lawless bravado” which turns them into potential killers, a senior church figure and police advisor warned yesterday. Rev. George Hargreaves said youths, smoking the drug with impunity since the law was changed, were being transformed into dangerous “schizophrenics.” He blamed the decision for the murder of Stevens Nyembo-Ya-Muteba by a gang of thugs believed to have been smoking strong “skunk” cannabis throughout the day. (This Is London, March 2006)

“Get Tough on Skunk or More Will Die”
Addicts will kill more people unless the Government takes tougher action against super-strength cannabis, a mental health charity has warned. Marjorie Wallace, the chief executive of the charity SANE, said at least a third of murders committed by addicts of skunk cannabis were preventable. (Daily Telegraph, April 2007)

“Boy on Skunk Cannabis Butchered a Grandmother”
A teenager who was crazed by high-strength cannabis butchered a grandmother after “voices in his head” told him to stab a woman. Ezekiel Maxwell, a paranoid schizophrenic, launched the horrific attack after years of smoking super-strength “skunk weed.” The 17-year-old claimed “gangster voices” from the ultra-violent computer game Grand Theft Auto had set him on a mission to stab a black woman. He is the second teenage cannabis addict in a month to be found guilty of killing others after smoking the substance. These cases highlight the dangers of the highly potent “skunk.” (Daily Mail, April 2007)

—Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of NORML
Visit norml.org or call (888) 67-NORML