The economic climate may be chilly, but the global cannabis industry is experiencing a spectacular, unprecedented boom. On the eve of the latest Million Marijuana March for legalisation, John Walsh introduces a special investigation into one of the burning issues of our time Anyone who thinks the British hedonist's relationship with cannabis and its brethren extends no further back than the Isle of Wight Festival or the Summer of Love in 1967 may be surprised to learn of a dope-fest that took place on the coast of Bengal in the 1670s. It was recorded by an English sailor called Thomas Bowrey, who'd been watching, with his friends, the elation and euphoria of the locals after drinking a concoction called bhang, made from crushed cannabis mixed with water. They decided to try it themselves, bought a pint of bhang each (costing sixpence), locked themselves in a house to keep safe from prying eyes, and signed up a local fakir to record what happened. [continues 2640 words]
Cannabis campaign AS A mature student psychiatric nurse in the Seventies my studies were enhanced by hashish. And I gained the hospital's student prize. Both my wife and I have hip arthritis and appreciate a regular intake of the plant to eliminate spasm. John Walsh, RMN, Address withheld I AM 52 and married with two grownup children. In 1979 I was diagnosed with arthritis and told I'd be in a wheelchair within eight years. I was prescribed drugs which were worse than the disease. After seven years my doctor suggested I try cannabis. I have had many doctors; the general opinion was that if it helped I should continue. About a year ago, everybody I knew had trouble obtaining it and I found I was supplying other sufferers. I am now in prison and told to expect a threeyear sentence. [continues 628 words]
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