‘Everybody must get stoned’: Financial Times on cannabis
EDINBURGH — The war on drugs has been lost, argues Financial Times columnist Simon Kuper who was in Amsterdam recently to smoke a spliff and ponder the advantages and disadvantages of cannabis. He concludes that he will start buying the drug regularly, if illegally, for the relaxation benefits. Like Kuper, I've also spent the past week soaking up the Amsterdam cannabis scene and contemplating its place in the world. Unlike the FT writer, I wasn't paid to buy a joint, so perhaps that's why I haven't been converted to its wonders? Nevertheless, along with my sons, aged 12 and 14, I have passively smoked weed over several days, inevitably pondering the permanent stale haze over Amsterdam thanks to the ubiquitous coffee shop. Drug tourists are fascinating, and often sad-looking, creatures when viewed through shop windows. I've no doubt we could have easily sampled some of the menus as a family. Although there are age restrictions on entering weed-related stores in Holland's capital, the many conspicuously red-eyed, slowed-up teenagers on its streets make it clear that the guidance is at best loosely applied. And coffee shop merchandise and snacks are intriguing and relatively cheap compared to the other entertainment and activities on offer in Holland's capital city. We didn't feel tempted, though, concluding that marijuana's powerful stench detracts from Amsterdam's charms and observing that there's nothing particularly attractive about being stoned and stinky. That's probably because, as Kuper points out, when it's legal, it's no longer cool. – Jackie Cameron
By Thulasizwe Sithole
Cannabis seems set to become mainstream as the world and big business embrace the controversial plant. This is the message in the Financial Times, which commissioned top columnist Simon Kuper to smoke pot and report back on it to their readers.
Somebody had to do it, because cannabis is now a major public policy issue, says Kuper of his experiential feature article.
"On October 17, Canada became the first large economy to legalise recreational weed. (Uruguay blazed the trail in 2013.) From November 1, doctors can prescribe medical pot on Britain's National Health Service," he says, sketching the background.
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