If you guys need something else to talk about...

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2 ... rd_dru.php

My opinion?
Can't even remember how many times they tried to make cannabis illegal, i just don't care anymore...

I've split this out from the existing weedpass thread (and given it a new title) since we want to keep that one (and all threads) on-topic. Thanks.

Another day another gripe, what they gonna do? Test every bit of weed the coffee shops wanna sell, this right wing government just wants to be seen to do the right thing.

I think it's a specious argument some of those in government are making. What makes hard drugs problematic relative to marijuana isn't the strength so much as (1) a chemically addictive nature and (2) a real threat of fatal overdose. Even the strongest weed hasn't been shown to yield (1) or (2).

Having said that there is no doubt that weed is incredibly strong now as compared to what it once was. I started smoking pot in the 70's. Back then I could buy an ounce for $15! A few years later it was $30. And then it went up from there. But sitting down with friends and getting from straight to reasonably stoned required about a full (American style) joint per person. Now 3 good hits of typical AMS weed and I'm pretty much there.

In fact there is a real danger (for me) of "overshoot." By that I mean that I can easily ingest too much before it has an effect. So I have to take some in, and then wait and see if it is enough. If I smoke continually until I feel stoned a few minutes later I'm *too* high.

(I can hear some say "too high? What does that mean?" But seriously when the room starts whirling around it stops being fun).

Full story here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/2 ... 2F20110624

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I can attest to the fact that Amsterdam weed is very strong. I used to smoke hash many years ago, but also quitted completely. Sometimes I was with friends that were smoking hash and I could be in the same room and don't feel anything from the second hand smoke. That was like fifteen years ago.

I am in Amsterdam right now and earlier this evening I was crossing the bridge coming from Molensteeg, headed to the right to OZA. As I passed a group of people I accidentaly walked right into a big cloud of smoke, I litterally got someones smoke blown right in my face. As I don't like smoke at all I was closing my mouth and nose, trying not to inhale the smoke. I thought I succeeded doing this and continued a few meters and stopped right there to check out a girl with a nice ass in nr. 56.

Five minutes later I noticed a familiar feeling coming on slowly to me — I was getting stoned! By inhaling something that must have been very little of that second hand smoke I was getting stoned! Ok, not that stoned that I would be from some puffs from a joint, but still. I was getting the effects of a dry mouth and had to buy some water. Feeling a bit groggy walking OZA! After about 40 minutes I was feeling very chilled and just sat down to check out another nice ass girl on OZV.

I think this pretty much say something about the potency of cannabis in Amsterdam. I am wondering what they (those guys that was smoking that joint) were smoking. I didn't feel high, more stoned with body effects. (The overall effects were kind of mild but still very noticeable!)

Full story here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/2 ... 2F20110624

Thanks for that link. I see now they are making an addiction claim. But so far as I know *chemical* addiction has never been scientifically established let alone linked to one concentration but not another. My take on this is that it is just rationalization and what is at play is a political impulse towards control and repression.