Pubdate: Sat, 13 Dec 2008 Source: Mainichi Daily News (Japan) Copyright: 2008 The Mainichi Newspapers Co. Contact: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/info/etc/contact.html Website: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3807 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) JAPAN GRAPPLING WITH CANNABIS CRISIS From university students to sumo wrestlers, celebrities and professional sportsmen, the number of cannabis users is on the rise and showing no signs of slowing. And despite the relatively low psychological barrier associated with the drug, the health and other effects can be far-reaching. One Kansai man bought a bag of cannabis seeds for about 3,000 yen in Osaka's Amerika-mura, and cultivated them in his closet for his own use. "Growing weed takes perseverance, the temperature and light exposure need to be tightly controlled," he said. "But you can get books on the subject." And the number of those following suit are growing fast: arrests and reports to prosecutors for marijuana cultivation have risen fourfold over the last 10 years to 192 in 2007, according to the Kinki branch of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Compliance and Narcotics Division. Instructions and other materials can be easily purchased over the Internet, as well as seeds, which sell for between 10,000 and 20,000 yen for 10. "Cannabis is the only narcotic that can be produced at home self-sufficiently. The Net is also responsible for the increase in cultivation," says the division. Cannabis is usually smoked, similar to tobacco; however, the active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, can cause hallucinations. "There's no need for syringes, and it has this sense of cool to it. For newcomers to drugs, the barrier is low," according to the division. Cannabis is also known as a gateway drug, since it can lead to the abuse of other substances, as the ex-user from Kansai testifies. "If you're smoking cannabis, it's easy to get your hands on stimulants too. I was recommended them by a dealer." It's commonly misunderstood that there are no health risks with smoking cannabis. However, Yukihiro Shoyama, professor of pharmaceutical resources at Nagasaki International University, disagrees. "It's more carcinogenic than tobacco, so to say there's no health effect is a big mistake. Repeated use can also cause a motivational syndrome, similar to chronic lethargy, and deterioration of memory." During 2007, police apprehended 2,373 suspects on 3,388 cannabis-related charges. Of those, 1,430 people were in their 20s, 184 aged 19 and below and 75 aged 50 and above. The Cannabis Control Law provides for up to five years' prison for possession and seven for cultivation, but there is no formal punishment for use. However, the health ministry points out that there have been cases where smoking cannabis with a friend has been construed as joint possession, and that simple usage by no means allows people to escape the penalty. "Arrest, dismissal, expulsion from school ... With the risk of collapsing those things that make up your life, isn't the risk of smoking cannabis too high? Think it over, and you should know the answer," said one investigator. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin