New figures show more than 1,550 people were referred for treatment for cannabis use in Wales in the last year.

Alcohol problems still amount to more than half of all substance misuse cases in Wales, according to Public Health Wales.

Heroin accounts for nearly a fifth of cases.

But is cannabis - just under 10% of cases - something we should still be worried about in Wales? 

HOW MANY ARE USING CANNABIS?

Anslow was at the head of a major drugs ring, which sold and distributed cocaine and cannabis across the West Midlands.

The 35-year-old became Britain’s most wanted man when he was violently and dramatically sprung from a prison van outside HMP Hewell near Redditch to Stafford Crown Court.

He then went on the run to Northern Cyprus.

While still at large, Anslow, of St Mark's Road, Tipton, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and sentenced to 22 years behind bars in September 2012.

Yesterday (THURS) he challenged his convictions at London's Criminal Appeal Court, with his lawyers arguing the trial should not have been held in his absence and that the judge misdirected the jury.

Almost a thousand plants were confiscated from chalets in Benifato and La Nucía

A UK national and a Belgian have been arrested by the Policía Nacional following the confiscation of almost a thousand marijuana plants from two chalets in Benifato and La Nucía, in the Marina Baja area of the province of Alicante, along with sophisticated watering, ventilation and heating systems. 

The British woman, aged 44, and the Belgian man (61) have both been released on bail: neither has a previous record of any similar offences. 

New figures show more than 1,550 people were referred for treatment for cannabis use in Wales in the last year.

Alcohol problems still amount to more than half of all substance misuse cases in Wales, according to Public Health Wales.

Heroin accounts for nearly a fifth of cases.

But is cannabis - just under 10% of cases - something we should still be worried about in Wales?

HOW MANY ARE USING CANNABIS?

It’s been an amazing week for drug policy reformers.

On the day that an overwhelming majority of Canadians elected a new prime minister who has promised to legalise and regulate cannabis, I wrote about a remarkable document drafted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the international body tasked with helping shape global drug policies. The two-page paper aimed to “clarify the position of UNODC” on one of the most pressing issues of the drug debate – how to minimise harm and protect the health and human rights of 300 million people who use drugs across the planet. 

Colin Davies opening a cannabis cafe on Tariff St in Manchester.

Cannabis campaigner Colin Davies is planning to open a hemp oil shop in Manchester. 

He has teamed up with a businessman in Holland to sell oil containing CBD (cannabidiol) which is legal and is said to help people with medical conditions like epilepsy.

It does not contain another extract of the plant called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the part of the plant that makes people ‘high’ in large doses.

“It’s legal, it’s good stuff and it works,” Colin, 57, from Romiley, told the M.E.N. speaking about the CBD oil.

Oct 28 2015 01:43 PMNews & Views Share this

GW Pharmaceuticals plc and the Government of New South Wales (NSW) Australia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU,) to progress a research program for Epidiolex® (cannabidiol or CBD) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) in children with severe, drug resistant childhood epilepsy.

“GW is pleased to have been able to respond to the needs of the New South Wales government and its citizens by establishing this research program for cannabinoid-based medicines in children with treatment resistant epilepsy,” said Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer. “As part of this research partnership, GW expects to advance clinical trials in Australia for both Epidiolex and our earlier stage pipeline product CBDV.”

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC Tuesday said the remaining two Phase 3 trials for its Sativex product were consistent with the first trial in that Sativex did not meet the primary endpoint, although they did show a "statistically significant improvement" for Sativex compared with a placebo.

Sativex is being investigated for the treatment of pain in patients with advanced cancer who experience inadequate analgesia during optimized chronic opioid therapy.

"In light of the missed primary endpoint in the first trial earlier this year, these additional results are not a surprise. Nevertheless, we are encouraged by data across the trials which consistently show positive outcomes for US patients when analysed as a separate cohort," said GW Chief Executive Justin Gover.

From Singapore: “Try wearing clothes that are marijuana related e.g. pictures of weed leaves etc.”

From Cape Town, South Africa: “I bought one bankie, and was caught by police. . . . African prisons SUX!!! So stay away from them.”

From Baghdad, Iraq: “Go up to most any civilian military contractor, at a good time, and just ask!”

For those who enjoy sampling the local grass as much as other travelers seek out regional wines or craft beers, the world has many welcoming corners.

Law hasn't changed on cannabis - Quayle

The Island’s Health Minister says he doesn’t oppose cannabis being used to treat patients – as long as it’s on medical advice and from a reputable pharmaceutical company.

This morning in the House of Keys, Howard Quayle was asked about his department’s stance on medical cannabis.

Mr Quayle told South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft there were circumstances under which the drug or its derivatives can be useful.

But he also had a warning for those rushing out to grow their own: