T
The420Guy
Guest
There was widespread outrage today after it emerged a potent drug and alcohol cocktail has gone on sale in the city.
Cannabis Vodka, a mix of the spirit and hemp seeds, can be bought across the counter at £17.99 for a half-litre bottle.
Made in the Czech Republic, it is only sold at a few outlets in this country, but is not illegal.
Tod Howard, manager of Bin Ends, in Cowgate, Peterborough, is the first person to stock it in Peterborough, and has sold five bottles in the last two days.
Despite experts agreeing that drinkers probably cannot get high, there has been criticism that the drug is being used to sell alcohol.
Verina McEwen, the city's Drug Action Team co-ordinator, branded the sale of the drink, which is made by L'Or, as "irresponsible".
She said: "This is clearly encouraging the use of more than one drug, cannabis and alcohol, which is totally irresponsible.
"Marketing alcohol in this way should never be allowed, and it is an attempt to make drink attractive when it is actually dangerous and can kill in extreme cases.
"By selling this drink they are saying it is OK to take cannabis with alcohol, and they are trying to appeal to the younger generation. It shouldn't be allowed."
Shop manager Mr Howard said that the Home Office had approved the sale of the drink.
However, Alcohol Concern, which campaigns against alcoholism, recently lodged an official complaint with the Portman Group, the self-governing body of the drinks trade.
Christine Greer, chief executive of city-based Drinksense, an alcohol advisory group, said: "I believe this drink blatantly encourages the misuse of more than one substance."
Mr Howard said the hemp seeds gave the vodka a slightly "woody taste".
He added: "Some of the seeds have already started to sprout in the bottom of the bottles, and could possibly be grown into cannabis plants."
Copyright © 2002, Johnston Press New Media. All rights reserved.
Cannabis Vodka, a mix of the spirit and hemp seeds, can be bought across the counter at £17.99 for a half-litre bottle.
Made in the Czech Republic, it is only sold at a few outlets in this country, but is not illegal.
Tod Howard, manager of Bin Ends, in Cowgate, Peterborough, is the first person to stock it in Peterborough, and has sold five bottles in the last two days.
Despite experts agreeing that drinkers probably cannot get high, there has been criticism that the drug is being used to sell alcohol.
Verina McEwen, the city's Drug Action Team co-ordinator, branded the sale of the drink, which is made by L'Or, as "irresponsible".
She said: "This is clearly encouraging the use of more than one drug, cannabis and alcohol, which is totally irresponsible.
"Marketing alcohol in this way should never be allowed, and it is an attempt to make drink attractive when it is actually dangerous and can kill in extreme cases.
"By selling this drink they are saying it is OK to take cannabis with alcohol, and they are trying to appeal to the younger generation. It shouldn't be allowed."
Shop manager Mr Howard said that the Home Office had approved the sale of the drink.
However, Alcohol Concern, which campaigns against alcoholism, recently lodged an official complaint with the Portman Group, the self-governing body of the drinks trade.
Christine Greer, chief executive of city-based Drinksense, an alcohol advisory group, said: "I believe this drink blatantly encourages the misuse of more than one substance."
Mr Howard said the hemp seeds gave the vodka a slightly "woody taste".
He added: "Some of the seeds have already started to sprout in the bottom of the bottles, and could possibly be grown into cannabis plants."
Copyright © 2002, Johnston Press New Media. All rights reserved.
