Is it time to take cannabis seriously?

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Is it time to take cannabis seriously? NHS statistics show that the number of people taken to hospital due to cannabis use is at a record high. It was the 3rd most prevalent cause of drug related admission for 2013/14 with a figure of 782 cannabis admissions representing a significant increase from just 492 in 2008/2009. It was also by far the most widespread drug relating to under-20s needing hospital treatment, a total of 37%. Scottish Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw MSP said: "Cannabis enjoys a reputation in some quarters as essentially being safe. Allowing the illegal substance that reputation can breed complacency not only amongst users, but authorities too. It accounts for almost double the hospital admissions as cocaine, and the 5-year trend is moving in the wrong direction. We have to break this relaxed attitude."