DRUG IN CIGARETTES

Evening Star, Issue 22031, 17 May 1935, Page 11

DRUG IN CIGARETTES

HEMP FRQM PARROTS’ FOOD ■ -4- young man, having read in a popular chemistry book of the properties of Indian hemp, separated the hemgseed from some parrots’ food mixture. and planted it m his garden. The ••eds germinated, and in the course of a few months the plants grew to a height'of 4ft or sft and flowered. The youth plucked the leaves and tops, dried and chopped them, and made them into cigarettes. These he smoked on several occasions, and experienced mild symptoms of cannabis intoxication, including hallucinations and drowsiness. His fiancee,Who also tried a hemp cigarette, was less fortunate. Within of inhaling the smoke she .was taken to hospital, and it was nine hours before she could leave. The story is told in an-article in the ‘ Lancet ’ by .Dr, E. T. Baker-Bates, of Liverpool, The youth concerned, it is understood; in' unemployed, and wished to makt> cheap cigarettes. Indian hemp is actually a most danf irons drug. It is widely used in the act and in Mexico and South America, where it rivals hashish in popularity “Frequent indulgence,” says Dr Baker-Bates, “ results in loss of judgment and restraint, and is accountable not only for cases where natives ‘ run amok,’ but also for various types :of insanity.” Although it has been stated that Indian hemp grown in England is more or less harmless, the doctor adds the warning- “There is a possibility that if the fact that hemp seeds could bo grown - with ease in England were widely known,, hemp smoking might become a national menace.” Another medical man stated: “ I have .not heard of any case whore hemp has been grown in similar circumstances in England, and usually it has been thought the plant in this country lias no poisonous properties. Among the queer effects of the drug js that .of making people of a pleasurable disposition more pleasurable, and morose people more morose. The fact that people can purchase hemp seeds in a shop, since they are contained in bird foods, may lead to a menace.”,.