CANNABIS AND TESTICULAR CANCER

Early day motion 729, tabled 9 February 2009 by Nigel Evans (Conservative). Signed by 26 members.

That this House notes with concern reports that smoking cannabis at least once a week makes it twice as likely that young men will develop testicular cancer; further notes that the study, at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, Washington, found that the link seemed strongest with a fast-growing malignancy called nonseminoma; recognises that nonseminoma usually affects men between the ages of 20 and 35 years and accounts for around 40 per cent. of all testicular cancer cases; understands that in 2007 the Lancet reported that one joint of cannabis can raise the risk of schizophrenia by more than 40 per cent. and that the drug carries a huge risk with regards to future mental illness; believes that current legislation does not recognise the dangers of cannabis; and calls on the Government to review the three strikes practice that means that cannabis users over 18 years are still expected to get a warning for possession on their first offence and to start an advertising campaign in order to promote the awareness of the dangers of cannabis.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Conservative 3, DUP 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.