# Hague: war on cannabis lost **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2018, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372 "2018-06-19T08:52:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/1 "2018-06-19T08:52:41Z")
[There must be something funny in the air](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44526156) - a politician is speaking sense! Former Tory leader Lord Hague says that the war on cannabis has been lost. > [@](#): > > Former Conservative leader Lord Hague has called for a “decisive change” in the law on cannabis - suggesting that the Tories should consider legalising recreational use of the drug. > > Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said “any war” has been “irreversibly lost”. > > Lord Hague goes further than senior Tories who have suggested a law change after a boy with epilepsy was given a special licence to use cannabis oil. The [Daily Telegraph article](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/18/war-cannabis-has-failed-utterly-tories-should-consider-new-approach/) is paywalled. I think that all drugs should be legalised, so this is a start, but politics is the art of the possible. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/2 "2018-06-19T18:39:50Z")
And now the government is ‘[reviewing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44536978)’ the situation, at least with regards to medical use. It’s a step in the right direction, and I note that it’s Sajid Javid who has stuck his neck out. He’s tipped for the top so I wonder if this is his play? He’ll have to defend any relaxation against fierce debate on both sides of the House. Could the UK’s first Muslim PM be a Tory? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/3 "2018-06-19T19:19:43Z")
Cannabis Lost…isn’t that Milton? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/4 "2018-06-19T19:40:27Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Cannabis Lost…isn’t that Milton? Yes, but not John. His younger brother, Cheech. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/5 "2018-06-19T21:33:40Z")
Amazing how likable and reasonable some Tories become once they’ve mellowed with age and are no longer chasing votes (see also: Kenneth Clarke). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/6 "2018-06-19T23:01:06Z")
Same for John Boehner, former House Speaker in the US (except he’s moving beyond talking about it and is going to make money off it, true to the American Way 😃 ) > **[John Boehner is joining a marijuana company](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/john-boehner-is-joining-a-marijuana-company-2018-04-11)** > > The legalized-marijuana movement will likely welcome the news Wednesday that two prominent former politicians are joining a cannabis company. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/7 "2018-06-20T01:17:35Z")
I think there’s only two votes left til it’s legal for recreation in Canada. Won’t be by July 1st as promised but by summer’s end I figure. The local “dispensaries” are already going cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/8 "2018-06-20T03:18:47Z")
And I admit this is a possible subject of a different thread, but how many of you that do NOT partake now, if your state or nation does legalize cannabis, plan to perhaps partake, either because you enjoyed it earlier in life or are curious as to the attraction? It’s a potential thread that’s left for the outcomes of future elections and legislation… ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/9 "2018-06-20T04:54:23Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I think there’s only two votes left til it’s legal for recreation in Canada. Won’t be by July 1st as promised but by summer’s end I figure. The local “dispensaries” are already going cowboy. If I’m reading LegisInfo right, bills C-45 (the Cannabis Act) and C-46 (which adjusts impaired-driving law among other things to take cannabis into account) have both passed the Senate and Commons, and are awaiting Royal assent. Once they get Royal assent, the PM will decree a date, 8-12 weeks later, that the stuff will be legal. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/10 "2018-06-20T05:00:48Z")
A good article from CTV News referencing both bills: The Senate has voted to pass Bill C-45, the government’s legislation to legalize cannabis. After more than a year… > **[Senate passes cannabis legalization bill in final vote](https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/senate-passes-cannabis-legalization-bill-in-final-vote-1.3980234)** > > The Senate has voted to pass Bill C-45, the government’s legislation to legalize cannabis. After more than a year of intensive study in both the House and Senate, the major social policy change has passed its final legislative hurdle, meaning that... ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/11 "2018-06-20T06:04:24Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > And I admit this is a possible subject of a different thread, but how many of you that do NOT partake now, if your state or nation does legalize cannabis, plan to perhaps partake, either because you enjoyed it earlier in life or are curious as to the attraction? I’ve never tried it (short of a “contact buzz” from the two guys sitting directly in front of me at a Yes concert, who smoked more-or-less continuously for three hours). If (when?) it were to become legal nationally in the U.S., I’d likely try it, just out of curiosity. I’d be hesitant to try it if it were just legal in my state (or in a state or country I’d visit), but is still illegal on a national level here, just from an abundance of caution. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/12 "2018-06-20T06:07:17Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > If I’m reading LegisInfo right, bills C-45 (the Cannabis Act) and C-46 (which adjusts impaired-driving law among other things to take cannabis into account) have both passed the Senate and Commons, and are awaiting Royal assent. Once they get Royal assent, the PM will decree a date, 8-12 weeks later, that the stuff will be legal. It was my understanding that the Senate passed amendments that had to be approved or not by the Commons. Eta: omg, this just happened. Ok cool. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/14 "2018-06-20T11:07:26Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > And I admit this is a possible subject of a different thread, but how many of you that do NOT partake now, if your state or nation does legalize cannabis, plan to perhaps partake, either because you enjoyed it earlier in life or are curious as to the attraction? > > It’s a potential thread that’s left for the outcomes of future elections and legislation… I live in California - so fully legal here. I partook (is that the correct past tense?) in my youth, but never enjoyed smoking. I basically would take a deep drag, cough my lungs out, and then slowly get the buzz that would counter the pain from a coughing fit. However - I would happily add some edibles to the choices of slight intoxication to my desired list - but I would need to determine how much I could take to have the right level. I look forward to when I can choose a couple of gummi bears to have with my alcohol on a Sunday afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/15 "2018-06-20T11:43:27Z")
I’d try if it were legal federally (since I technically can get drug tested at work), but only if there were some good-tasting edibles with little sugar in them. The sugar crash and the unpleasantness of inhaling would probably negate any benefit I’d get from it, if my experience with IPAs and sugary mixed drinks is any indication. (With bitter beer, I actually feel worse after drinking because it tastes so bad, and with sugary drinks, I get a hangover the next day just from the sugar alone.) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/16 "2018-06-20T12:14:52Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I’d try if it were legal federally (since I technically can get drug tested at work), but only if there were some good-tasting edibles with little sugar in them. The sugar crash and the unpleasantness of inhaling would probably negate any benefit I’d get from it, if my experience with IPAs and sugary mixed drinks is any indication. (With bitter beer, I actually feel worse after drinking because it tastes so bad, and with sugary drinks, I get a hangover the next day just from the sugar alone.) Chewy edibles (you’ll only be needing one, maybe two) are about the size of a gummy bear, consistency of orange slice candy. The gummies I’ve seen are about twice that size but half as sweet. Even the ones that aren’t particularly yummy represent nowhere near the commitment it takes to choke down a 16oz IPA…or 5. 🙂 They taste like a little piece of candy with a faint cannabis scent/flavor. After 30 seconds there is no sign you did anything. Until it’s a few months old, the buds from a dispensary are pretty much cough-free. Reeeaaalll smooothe. Vape sticks are also very mild. I only bring this up because the effect of eating is a lot different from smoking. Smoke and you’re likely going to be sober in a few hours no matter how hammered you get. Eat and the timeline is much more drawn out. Wait up to an hour, slow onset of a low-level buzz for a few hours, then slow ‘recovery’ over the next 24 hours. Don’t plan on doing any quality mental heavy lifting. Not as ‘fun’ but very relaxing. That’s just my experience, and it doesn’t affect everyone the same way. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/17 "2018-06-20T12:59:30Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > And I admit this is a possible subject of a different thread, but how many of you that do NOT partake now, if your state or nation does legalize cannabis, plan to perhaps partake, either because you enjoyed it earlier in life or are curious as to the attraction? I wouldn’t - and I enjoyed it quite a bit when I was younger. But I have no attraction to it now. Also, it makes me want to smoke cigarettes, and that’s a monkey I’d like to keep off my back. Same reason I don’t get drunk. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/18 "2018-06-20T14:55:41Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > And I admit this is a possible subject of a different thread, but how many of you that do NOT partake now, if your state or nation does legalize cannabis, plan to perhaps partake, either because you enjoyed it earlier in life or are curious as to the attraction? I have never partaken, and have no intention of ever. Not even second-hand. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/19 "2018-06-20T15:03:59Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > And I admit this is a possible subject of a different thread, but how many of you that do NOT partake now, if your state or nation does legalize cannabis, plan to perhaps partake, either because you enjoyed it earlier in life or are curious as to the attraction? > > It’s a potential thread that’s left for the outcomes of future elections and legislation… Used to partake. Haven’t in many years, It is legal here in Sunny California. When I did partake, the fact that it was illegal was no deterrent. Same with underage drinking. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/20 "2018-06-20T16:10:06Z")
Trump has indicated support for Sen. Warren’s bill that would essentially turn marijuana legality over to the states (AIUI). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372/21 "2018-06-20T16:52:59Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Trump has indicated support for Sen. Warren’s bill that would essentially turn marijuana legality over to the states (AIUI). And what a cash cow it will be. Taxes on legalized pot will more than make up for revenue lost from Trump’s “tax reform” (limiting deductions for state and local taxes). The law of unintended consequences strikes again, reminiscent of when conservative politicians over a century ago demanded big increases in naval warship spending in the U.K., and the result was a huge new tax proposal mainly targeting the wealthy, prompting protests and the ultimate neutering of the House of Lords when it tried to block the tax bill. Just tout legalized marijuana as some sort of medical necessity (evidence be damned), and even the U.S. right wing will eventually get on board. > [@Quartz](#): > > I think that all drugs should be legalised We’re part way there, with passage of “right to try” legislation in the U.S., allowing unproven and potentially harmful experimental drugs to reach patients. Why not legalize [corrosive bloodroot salve](https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/eschar.html) and other “alternative” supplements too? \*but maybe **Quartz** just means "legalize all _recreational_ drugs. :dubious: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hague-war-on-cannabis-lost/816372.md?page=2)