MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on cannabis use

1.2.2017

pursuant to Rule 133 of the Rules of Procedure

Nuno Melo

B8-0135/2017

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on cannabis use

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rule 133 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas recent scientific research shows that cannabis, because of its present chemical composition, is hugely dangerous and can do harm in ways that were hitherto unknown or have been overlooked, serious and irreversible mental illnesses being a shocking example;

B.  whereas according to the latest study, unveiled in November 2015 by researchers at King’s College London and Sapienza University of Rome, taking cannabis affects a part of the brain that allows the two hemispheres to communicate;

C.  whereas, besides mental illness, regular cannabis use has been associated with cases of educational underachievement, since it exacerbates cognitive impairment;

D.  whereas an informed decision can make all the difference; whereas users are almost wholly ignorant of the consequences of taking cannabis, which is wrongly termed a ‘soft drug’;

E.  whereas the public at large often speak of cannabis as a harmless ‘soft’ drug that causes no major damage;

F.  whereas the EU has a duty to educate by publicising the scientifically proven risks entailed in taking cannabis;

1.  Calls on the Commission to draw up a European plan with a view both to alerting students to the scientifically proven risks associated with cannabis use and to raising awareness within universities.