Cannabis evidence 'was distorted'
Proff Nutt said skunk use had not caused an upswing in schizophrenia
The row over the reclassification of cannabis has been reignited after the government's chief drug adviser accused ministers of "distorting" the evidence.
The schizophrenia stuff ...all bollox.
If you read nuts report which was handed to the government it clearly states and shows that
schizo episodes in young people are at a twenty five year lowThree more drugs advisers resign ....
It said: "The discussions were very constructive, and it was agreed that the ACMD would continue discussions with the Home Office and government chief scientific advisors in establishing a way to work collaboratively together into the future with a common purpose of reducing any drug-related harm in the UK."
What does the phrase "the discussions were very constructive" mean?
Apparently, inside the Home Office it means a meeting between the home secretary and his drug advisors that ends with three more eminent scientists announcing their resignations.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the Home Office have just published the fruits of their meeting yesterday.
While those who had wanted an apology for the way the home secretary sacked his chief advisor, Professor David Nutt, will be disappointed, the search for a new arrangement to improve the relationship between ministers and advisers does seem to have made headway.
There may still be sticking points over the details of the "Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice" being discussed by the Chief Scientific Adviser Sir John Beddington, Lord Rees from the Royal Society and the prime minister's office.
However, the deal published includes a commitment from the home secretary to write to the full council setting out his reasons if he decides to reject their advice in the future. This retains the principle of ministerial responsibility but will oblige the Home Office to explain why they have rejected the science - and I suspect an answer that reads
"the tabloids won't wear it" will not be good enough. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/