The Pandemic of Problematic Drug Use: How best can we reduce the harm drugs pose to society?
Thursday, October 8th 2020
Stop the Tragic Loss of Life: Protect Students & Young People
In light of last weekend's tragic deaths in Northumbria, Volteface addresses what must be done
The Volteface Podcast
The Volteface Interview with Antony Loewenstein: ‘Pills, Powder and Smoke’
Five years ago, Jerusalem-based, Australian investigative journalist, author and film-maker Antony Loewenstein turned his attention from Disaster Capitalism, his book and film, to the war on drugs. In his new book, Pills, Powder and Smoke: Inside the Bloody War on Drugs, he investigates the consequences of politically manufactured conflict at front lines across the … Continued
The Volteface Podcast #15 Instant Gramz: Drugs and social media with Nick Hickmott
More young people are seeing drug adverts on social media, but what impact is this having on young people? And why has it taken us so long to catch on? Liz McCulloch, Director of Policy and author of DM for Details: Selling Drugs in the Age of Social Media, is in conversation with Nick … Continued
The Volteface Podcast #11: Live from the Big Tent with Andrew Boff
Last week the Volteface team headed to the Docklands for the second annual Big Tent Ideas Festival at Mudchute Farm. To ensure cannabis reform was on the festival’s agenda we hosted ‘In Conversation with Andrew Boff’. London Assembly member Boff, a long term advocate for cannabis reform, sat down with current Editor of Byline … Continued
Policy & Politics
Dutch Developments: Coffeeshop Owner and Cannabis Cultivator sees Potential in Dutch ‘Weed Experiment’
With the ‘controlled cannabis supply chain experiment’ the Netherlands seems to be moving slightly towards legalisation. The experiment, starting in 2021, has been a widely discussed topic in the Dutch cannabis world. Joachim Helms, cannabis-entrepreneur and co-owner of coffeeshop Green House in Amsterdam has high hopes for the experiment. “I feel like the experiment … Continued
The Volteface Interview with Helen Clark: UK Kiwis, Enrol and Vote Yes to the Cannabis Bill
There are an estimated 60,000 New Zealanders based in the United Kingdom at this moment in time. The Oceanic nation has a once in a generation opportunity to open up the door to drug policy reform by voting yes in the upcoming cannabis referendum, due to take place on October 17th. In little under two months … Continued
Volteface Investigates: Is the Netherlands Finally Heading for Legalisation?
The Netherlands and in particular Amsterdam, has always been famous for its coffeeshops. Not for the amazing latte’s and cappuccino’s they serve, but for weed, hash and other cannabis related products. A not very well known fact, however, is that cannabis is actually not legal in the Netherlands. But with the introduction of the ‘controlled cannabis … Continued
Health & Science
Comment: Why Home-Growing is Fundamental to a Legal Cannabis Model
How cannabis is grown in the USA and the UK The laws regarding cannabis are quite contradictory in the US. They vary from state to state, so one must be aware of cannabis regulations concerning cultivation before starting to grow it. Personal cannabis cultivation is prohibited even in some states that have medical cannabis programs, … Continued
Factfile: The Endocannabinoid System – Control Panel of the Human Body
“Is there really an endocannabinoid system?” Yes. Although not currently included in textbooks and science curriculums, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) does exist. Cannabis is a plant that happens to interact with the ECS to cause a range of effects. Since cannabis’ re-emergence into mainstream health and media, it has been under heavy political pressure … Continued
The James Burton Story: Medical Cannabis in the Netherlands
The start of the controlled cannabis supply chain experiment, where legally produced cannabis will be sold in coffeeshops in ten municipalities, grown by government-designated growers seems to be moving the Netherlands in the direction of cannabis legalisation. What many people don’t know, however, is that medical cannabis has been legal in the Netherlands for a … Continued
Families & Education
SSDP Takeover: Q&A with Bristol Drug Project’s Sorcha Ryan
Sorcha Ryan is the Festival and Harm Reduction Lead of Bristol Drug Project, an organisation belonging to Bristol ROADS (Recovery Oriented Alcohol and Drugs Service). Here, Sorcha will be sharing advice on how to stay safe on campus and within the community when using drugs during lockdown. How has your work with BDP changed as … Continued
SSDP Takeover: Covid’s Impact on Student Drug Use
With changes to venues, demand and support looming on the horizon, Eleri Crossland predicts a significant shift in the way UK students interact with illegal drugs Student life is set to look very different for those returning to university this autumn. Daunted by ongoing lockdown measures on campus and within the UK as a whole, students … Continued
Opinion: To Protect Young People from Drug Harms, we Should Teach them how to do Drugs ‘Safely’
Friday, July 10th 2020 If I told you that alcohol causes cancer, dementia, traffic accidents and violence, would you be a teetotaller for the rest of your life? There is no doubt that all drugs, whether legal or illegal, are harmful and come with risks. In order to protect young people from the harms … Continued
Business & Profit
FCA Announce Guidance Consultation for Cannabis Companies Listing on London Stock Exchange
The Financial Conduct Authority has today issued a statement which endeavours to clarify the situation regarding cannabis companies listing on the London Stock Exchange. Although some uncertainty remains, there are several key positives to take away. Those working in the cannabis industry are all too familiar with the challenges presented by the Proceeds of … Continued
B.C. Bud Rules
Other Canadian provinces have already announced how they intend to regulate the sale of non-medical cannabis, but the industry has been holding out for British Columbia – the home of B.C. Bud – with high hopes that the province would adopt a progressive model that would galvanise the sector and cement its cultural dominance of … Continued
Patient Needs Addressed as European Medical Cannabis Imports Grow
Tilray continues its expansion in Europe. After announcing the first imports of full-spectrum medical cannabis extracts in Germany in October, the Canada-based company just announced it will be the first North American company to import dried medical cannabis products to the Czech Republic. The expansion of a company like Tilray in Europe signals the maturity of … Continued
Arts & Culture
The Volteface Interview with Antony Loewenstein: ‘Pills, Powder and Smoke’
Five years ago, Jerusalem-based, Australian investigative journalist, author and film-maker Antony Loewenstein turned his attention from Disaster Capitalism, his book and film, to the war on drugs. In his new book, Pills, Powder and Smoke: Inside the Bloody War on Drugs, he investigates the consequences of politically manufactured conflict at front lines across the … Continued
Frontline Security Enter the Drug Debate
A new, comprehensive guide has emerged from Working the Doors providing a macro-look at drugs and drug taking. Rather than beating the tired ‘zero tolerance’ drum echoed from many corners of night-time security (which refuses to acknowledge that drug taking in public spaces, such as nightclubs, DOES exist), Steve Johnson recognises the issues in this … Continued
Ian Marchant Talks Music, Drugs, And Politics
Last week Volteface met the writer, academic and raconteur Ian Marchant. Marchant’s new book A Hero for High Times is an elegy for wild times, a revolution that never quite occurred and a culture now half forgotten. Listen to him talk music, drugs and politics with our Director Steve Moore.