Independent Perspective News - Cannabis consumptions grows in Europe

According to a study on the evolution of drugs in the European Union in 2003, in Spain, Ireland, United Kingdom and France, at least one out of five citizens has used cannabis, the most common stupefacient substance. The report, presented yesterday in Strasburg by the European Observatory, states that the cannabis experiencing among the adult population varies substantially in the Community's different countries. Sweden, for example, with 1 percent, Finland with 5 and Portugal with 6 are in the lowest consumption level. On the other hand, the organization points out that the highest figures correspond to Spain (17 percent), United Kingdom (19 percent) and France (20 percent).

The Observatory stresses the problem of the growing tendency of making "regular and intense" use of cannabis (marihuana and hashish), which is related to the important rise in the number of marihuana consumers who resort to specialized services for toxic-dependents. According to European experts, Europe is still "the greatest hashish market of the world" and has "three quarters of the world drug quantity". The study shows the striking increase of availability of "grass cultivated in the EU", and is concerned about the fact that the medium power of the active ingredient of cannabis (the tetracannabinolum or Thc) has grown noticeably, which might have negative effects on public health".