Is hashish less dangerous than alcohol?

The World Health Organization (WHO) suppressed a report showing that the active ingredient in the hemp plant THC is less dangerous than alcohol?

Did the World Health Organization (WHO) suppress a scientific report showing that the active ingredient THC (hashish) is less dangerous than the drug alcohol? Already the BBC News published in 1998 an article under the name "Cannabis safer than alcohol and tobacco". In this article, it has been claimed that consumption of THC is less harmful to the economy than the consumption of alcohol or cigarettes.

The then commissioned WHO scientist Maristela Monteiro, confirming that the study was removed, denied that political pressure had been applied to her. However, New Scientist Magazine claims that it was reported that advisers to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse and the UN International Drug Control Agency (UNDCP) had warned WHO. The report could have provided ammunition for campaigns such as "Legalize Marijuana" and therefore it should not be published.

Dr. Maristela Monteiro justified the removal of the comparative study with the argument: "In our view, it is not a fair comparison and not very helpful before the idea of ​​public health and we thought it was biased to show less damage from cannabis."

There are still social prejudices, the use of cannabis would be a gateway drug to so-called "hard drugs" such as heroin or cocaine. Also, more people would consume marijuana if the consumption was impunity. In the Netherlands, the consumption of THC was already decriminalized in 1976. The Kosum is not unpunished in the Netherlands, but will not be prosecuted if you do not carry more than 5 grams of cannabis for your own consumption. In so-called "coffee shops" consumers can still provide cannabis today without being prosecuted for it. A survey conducted at that time by the University of Amterdam showed that after decriminalization in 1976 there was no significant increase in the consumption of marijuana. The number of drug addicts who use so-called "hard drugs" (heroin, cocaine, etc.) has not widened in the wake of decriminalization.

Czech Republic even more liberal than Holland
At the turn of 2010, a more liberal drug law came into force in the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic, consumers can carry up to 15 grams of marijuana without being legally prosecuted. Thus, the Czech Republic is far more liberal in its drug policy than the Netherlands. After the tourism in Prague reached a low point last year, the release of THC consumption may be a new perspective. Because in the neighboring countries like Germany and Poland, the drug laws are much harder.

In Germany the cultivation, possession as well as the passing on of THC plants or plant parts is according to § 29 a para. 1 no. 1 of the Narcotics Act since 1929. Cannabis was responsible for more than half (55.2%) of all narcotics contraventions (BTM) in 2008 and is by far the most widely distributed illegal drug. In the Federal Republic, there are no recognizable political aspirations of the Federal Government to change anything. (Sebastian Bertram, 17.01.2010)

BBC report: Cannabis safer than alcohol and tobacco