POLL: Do you support the legalisation of marijuana in the UK for medical purposes?
THIS week the SNJ tells the story of a woman from Stroud who suffers chronic pain daily because of her rheumatoid arthritis.
Denise Nolson, 46, from Old Bisley Road, was forced to quit her job and now relies on crutches to walk after she was diagnosed with the long-term condition two years ago.
The chronic pain caused by swelling and stiffness in the joints has left her, disability, suffering from sleep deprivation and extreme fatigue on a daily basis.
When this pain gets too intense she takes legal opiates morphine and oxycodone to soothe the pain in her hands, feet and wrists and help her sleep.
But now Denise, who has never smoked cannabis before, has echoed calls from politicians across the spectrum in demanding a rethink of the law to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to alleviate the painful symptoms of disorders.
Her calls for change come amidst warnings that up to 1.1 million people across Britain are currently breaking the law by taking the drug to combat the pain of chronic conditions.
Earlier this year a campaign to legalise medical use was supported by the former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and senior politicians from all parties.
However, a recent report by senior drugs researchers has said that global public health campaigns are needed to make clear the risks of heavy cannabis use.
The call for action from scientists in the UK, US, Europe and Australia reflects a growing consensus among experts that frequent cannabis use can increase the risk of psychosis in vulnerable people and lead to a range of other medical and social problems.
While the vast majority of people who smoke cannabis will not develop psychotic disorders, those who do can have their lives ruined.
Psychosis is defined by hallucinations, delusions and irrational behaviour, and while most patients recover from the episodes, some go on to develop schizophrenia.
The risk is higher among those who continue with heavy cannabis use.
So, the SNJ would like to know, would you support the legalisation of marijuana in the UK for purely medical purposes?
Denise Nolson, 46, from Old Bisley Road, was forced to quit her job and now relies on crutches to walk after she was diagnosed with the long-term condition two years ago.
The chronic pain caused by swelling and stiffness in the joints has left her, disability, suffering from sleep deprivation and extreme fatigue on a daily basis.
When this pain gets too intense she takes legal opiates morphine and oxycodone to soothe the pain in her hands, feet and wrists and help her sleep.
But now Denise, who has never smoked cannabis before, has echoed calls from politicians across the spectrum in demanding a rethink of the law to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to alleviate the painful symptoms of disorders.
Her calls for change come amidst warnings that up to 1.1 million people across Britain are currently breaking the law by taking the drug to combat the pain of chronic conditions.
Earlier this year a campaign to legalise medical use was supported by the former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and senior politicians from all parties.
However, a recent report by senior drugs researchers has said that global public health campaigns are needed to make clear the risks of heavy cannabis use.
The call for action from scientists in the UK, US, Europe and Australia reflects a growing consensus among experts that frequent cannabis use can increase the risk of psychosis in vulnerable people and lead to a range of other medical and social problems.
While the vast majority of people who smoke cannabis will not develop psychotic disorders, those who do can have their lives ruined.
Psychosis is defined by hallucinations, delusions and irrational behaviour, and while most patients recover from the episodes, some go on to develop schizophrenia.
The risk is higher among those who continue with heavy cannabis use.
So, the SNJ would like to know, would you support the legalisation of marijuana in the UK for purely medical purposes?
Or should the drug remain illegal? Could this legalisation lead to people using the drug too much?
Could this lead to more health problems?
And is there a risk cannabis can lead to psychosis and harder drugs?
Should it be legalised for recreational use too?
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