Prohibition protests & public opinion.

Prohibition protests & public opinion part 1.

At midday on October 4th 2014 protestors from all areas of the UK and all walks of life assembled outside of the BBC headquarters in Central London to make a stand against Cannabis prohibition.

I was there to ask the questions that mainstream media outlets allegedly refuse to report on. Is this so-called media misdirection a deciding factor in choosing the location of the demonstration? Or were organisers simply trying to draw attention to a deeply misunderstood issue? 

After a series of discussions with organisers and protesters, I find out why people really use Cannabis, the effect it has on their health and professional lives and what kind of reform they hope to achieve. 

I arrived early to an already assembled blockade along the perimeter of the BBC forecourt and a solitary security guard standing in the drizzle. No protestors had arrived yet so I loitered for a few minutes, checking my maps to make sure I was in the right place. After 15 minutes or so four men in their early 20's arrived with a sign that read:  "We want proper ganja not propaganda" we gathered on the steps adjacent and found shelter under the monument from the rain. We introduced ourselves and I began asking them questions.

Two of them were from Bristol and two of them were from Manchester, they had all travelled to London specifically for the protest. They were university graduates and had full time jobs as warehouse operatives,customer service representatives and call centre staff. 

I wanted to remain objective so took into account the risks associated with cannabis use when conducting my interviews. I began by asking the frequency of their Cannabis use to which they responded with a variety of answers. The first claimed to only smoke Cannabis two to three times a week, another used Cannabis every day and the last two agreed it was the first thing they did when they finished work. Each had an aspect of friendly humour in their response and they began laughing amongst themselves. I had the feeling it would be a peaceful demonstration without incident. 

Next I asked how old they were the first time they used Cannabis, to which they responded again with a variety of answers. As young as 13-14 for one and the consensus being around 16 with the others. 

I then asked the worst experience they had ever had whilst using Cannabis.

One of them responded quickly with "Getting busted" and the others laughed in unity. One of them stopped laughing and assumed a more serious tone.Apparently respecting the nature of the interview. He began telling me about an ex girlfriend who had regularly used "solids". Meaning the resin extract known as hash, an apparently less psychoactive counterpart of Cannabis "skunk" as it is known. Being the leafier,natural bud. She apparently started "freaking out" and vomiting, eventually requesting an ambulance. A mild Cannabis overdose known as a "whitey" where the user becomes disorientated and can enter a state of panic causing nausea. Usually it is countered with a warm sugary drink,a few packets of Doritos and a nap. She made a full recovery and continues smoking "skunk" to this day, having learnt the difference in potency between "skunk" and "solids".

I then went on to ask the reason for their use, weather it was recreational or medicinal. One claimed he used it to treat his bipolar disorder, for it's anti-depressant properties, but he also enjoyed using it recreationally. Another went on to say that Cannabis needs to be used sensibly to improve your mental state of mind. 

When asked if they had ever been caught with Cannabis they all gave a similar response. To have either have never been caught, or let off with a street caution.

When asked what they hoped to achieve from the demonstration, they said they would like to see regulation and that they want cannabis use to be given a serious discussion and consideration with regards to reform. They went on to say that they no longer wanted to be pushed underground and that they wanted their medicinal and recreational use to be accepted as part of society. 

More people began turning up and indeed lighting up in an apparent act of defiance. One group even going as far as to bring a cannabis plant along for the festivities as shown in the picture above. 

There was very little police presence with just two vans driving by consecutively at the beginning of the demonstration. 

Not everyone was using Cannabis, my next interviewee was a former barrister, mother of two children aged 17 and eight. She wishes to remain anonymous so will be referred to as Sadie at her request. Sadie is 37 years old and is currently fighting breast cancer. She has a tumour in her breast that is non ductile and in situ, she has been treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and was on Themera. She Said "All of it was bollocks". She explained that her expected tumour shrinkage was less than 20%. Eight months ago Sadie claimed to have began taking Cannabis oil capsules supplied to her illegally via an organisation she named, Medicinal Monkeys. She went on to tell me that she had not been charged for her illegal treatment and after eight months of cannabis therapy there has been a 50% reduction in her tumour and may no longer need even an operation, after she was previously told by doctors that she would require a mastectomy to remove the tumour. 

I went on to ask her if medical professionals had acknowledged the effect of cannabis treatment on her fight against breast cancer to which she elaborated. After two to three months of cannabis treatment she met with her doctor for an MRI scan. The expected shrinkage of her tumour was under 8% but had actually shown a reduction of 20% percent.

At this point I noticed tears dwelling in Sadie's eyes. She told me how the doctor was stunned and asked if she had taken anything else. She admitted, cannabis oil. A tear trickled down her cheek and she continued. She told me how the doctor held her hand and off the record said,"don't stop taking it". Then went on to explain that he could say nothing else about it. 

I then asked Sadie what she hoped to achieve from the protest. "To be honest" she began "I don't want to be recognised here today because of my career and my family's future, but I couldn't not come, I have to be here for everyone fighting cancer." 

I felt privileged to have heard such a personal and emotional story and felt horrified that this sort of treatment has not been more widely acknowledged by healthcare professionals. Surely finding a cure for a disease that effects 1 in three of us at some point in our lives should be considered and put to a public referendum.

Please discuss your opinions in the comments and please like and share.

In part two I speak to members of the Dorset cannabis social club, a mental health professional and representatives from the London compassion collective.