United Nations: 5% of the World’s Population Uses Cannabis

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United Nations: 5% of the World’s Population Uses Cannabis

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According to the United Nation’s 2012 World Drug Report, 5% of the world’s population consumes cannabis.

The report indicates that in 2010 (the most recent data accumulated) up to 225 million people consumed cannabis – approximately 5% of the global population. In countries like America and New Zealand, the number is above 10%. The report states:

Cannabis is a truly global phenomenon. Reports on cultivation and seizures of cannabis and on sources of cannabis products illustrate that cannabis is not only consumed in all countries in the form of cannabis herb (marijuana), it is also grown in most of them.
This leads one to wonder; if cannabis is so non-toxic, and used throughout the world, why is it considered so taboo, and categorized as an “illicit” substance? The fact of the matter is, this study shows the magnitude of the effect of prohibition on a global scale; 5% of the people in the world are instantly considered criminals, just for their use of this therapeutic substance. This is at a time when pharmaceuticals run rampant in our society, with doctors pushing Xanax, Oxycontin, and a plethora of other drugs without a second thought (neglectfully ignoring the potential side-effects of these prescriptions).

mendocino_county_weed_marijuanaThe study also indicates that the production of cannabis is primarily “localized and often small-scale” in nature, a distinctive difference from the massive production of hard drugs that cartels manufacture in huge quantities. For those in the cannabis community, this likely comes as no surprise, as many of us know someone down the street growing a small garden to supply themselves with their medicine, or perhaps a little extra to share with friends. It is difficult to understand how this could be considered criminal, when the impact on society is the same as someone growing tomatoes in their backyard – or potentially more beneficial, as cannabis is incredibly medicinal. The negative consequence comes in keeping cannabis illegal, as it allows criminal syndicates to benefit from it.

Nevertheless, the U.S., reportedly “the country with the world’s largest cannabis market”, maintains the destructive prohibitionist policies that result in thousands of incarcerations, and billions of dollars lost. Common sense dictates the only logical approach to this situation is legalization – and the citizens of this country, and those around the world, are taking a stand, proclaiming they are no longer willing to accept the injustice of prohibition.


Delta Extrax


As a further demonstration of how the war on cannabis, and cannabis consumers, has failed, the study concludes:
There are currently no indications that cannabis production and use are going to diminish.
There you have it.

– TheJointBlog

3 Comments

  • junis
    March 26, 2013

    Tha black people in SA are alone a population of 80percent and they all smoke weed..!!

  • Daggarep1
    March 26, 2013

    Hey people well I’m gonna meantion a few things we all knew about cannabis, and hopefully a few things you did not know 🙂 From now I will use the word “dagga” instead of marijuana or cannabis, this is the word we use in South Africa

    Most people who do not use dagga do not know anything about it.They think that it is bad because the government says it is bad.

    Police who arrest dagga users & growers could be using their time to fight real crime.Keeping dagga illegal is a waist of taxpayer’s money.It is much easier to arrest people for growing and smoking Dagga than it is to find a murderer.

    Many places that sell Dagga also sell hard drugs like heroin or tik.These are the people that get their customers addicted to hard drugs. Dagga users are forced to be part of the criminal undergroung.

    The public lose respect for police when they harass people by searching their homes &cars for Dagga.

    The law against Dagga is a law where the punishment is far worse than the “crime”.

    If you are arrested for dagga, who have you harmed? It is a crime without a victim. How can you be guilty if there is no victim? The law against dagga is the only law in SA where you are guilty until proven innocent.

    Illegal Dagga puts lots of money from growing and selling dagga into the hands of crimenal gangs.

    Some people grow & sell Dagga just to put food on the table. These people are called crimimals and treated the same as violent gangs.

    Prohibition of Dagga in South Africa is unconstitutional, unscientific & wrong.

    ==============So how can you help=============

    Educate yourself, know the facts, spread the word.

    Sign the online petition. We can only change the law if we have enough public support

    If you are arrested on dagga charge, know that you have rights. Stand up for these rights by following the instructions in “A puffer’s guide” , available on the http://www.daggacouple.co.za website.

    Like us on Facebook, follow the dagga couple website.

    Do not be scared to support the dagga couple.All Dagga users need to stand together with one voice.

    Donate what ever you can afford. We need to pay for all aspects of the campaign as well as legal fees.

    Watch the short documentary on Youtube, “dagga: The truth.

    Apply to become a dagga couple representative in your area. Details on the http://www.daggacouple.co.za website.

    Share your skills : let us know what you are good at and we will find a way for you to help.

    Support the first ever legal challenge for the re-legalisation of dagga in South Africa.

    Based on the human rights as reflected in the bill of rights, enshrined in the SA constitution.

    https://www.daggacouple.co.za/the-petition/

  • Seth Green
    March 27, 2013

    i would like to get my story out front to be heard. Ive contacted the White House by email an phone an i havent gotten any reply…… Also have contacted my local District Rep. from Tennessee as well as other state Rep. I have not got any reply from the White House. But the Tennessee Reps. 1 out of 5 that i talked to agreed. I tried emailing local news stations an trying to get my story out…. They will not even put it on the air. I live a very difficult life with this Cerebral Palsy on the right side of my body as got worse as ive gotten older. I am in serious pain day by day. With the side effects that comes along with having Cerebral Palsy are almost unbearable i can barley eat on some days from my throat closing up an not being able to even move my right arm or even walk. I will usually have seizures caused from the pain an anxiety they usually last around 5 to 10 mins with me sometimes turning blue an stop breathing. I cant even get my GED an live a productive life like i need to. It makes me feel bad that i can not contribute to the work force. I am a burden to my mother that has to stay with my 24/7 to look after me…. An i think marriages have been broken cause of my health. I have been to the Shiners Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina they will not help. With the doctors not knowing really anything about Cerebral Palsy they have given me wrong meds to help me try an live a normal life. Marijuana reduces the muscle tightness in my throat an chest to wear i can actually get a breath in. An it reduces the anxiety an seizures. With having no other option i have toke matters in my own hands even if i have to break the law. There are links i am going to send you that will tell you what im dealing with. Cnn has not gotten back to all my emails that ive sent. I do not have the money to move out of Tennessee to get Medical Marijuana. http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity/about-cerebral-palsy-spasticity http://cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/treatment/medication-and-drug-therapy/#as http://cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/treatment/medication-and-drug-therapy/#pm. Personally i don’t know where else to turn.

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