The day progressed to examine harm reduction tips. The principle recommendation for minimising harm was to encourage cessation of use. The course luckily, however, did not stop there as often giving up is not on the users agenda. Harm can be minimised though:
- using less tobacco
- inhaling deeply and less frequently
- reducing breath-hold durations
- using less rizzla
- not using plastic bottles, pipes or tubes
- Vaporising rather than smoking.
Interestingly, and in our eyes very accurately, we continued to look at the damage that the law can do to children who are caught using or dealing cannabis; the very laws that are supposedly there to protect them. Convictions for possession or dealing of cannabis stay with you the rest of your life as Mr Matthews knew from his own experience. He had recently been turned down for a job with the Home Office for a conviction for possessing cannabis when he was 16! They can also limit your possibilities of travelling or living abroad in certain countries.
Further Research
Seizing Control of Production
Why Drugs Laws Damage Cannabis User’s Health
An Australian Cannabis User’s Harm Reduction Handbook
