Female Law Student Damilola Olakanmi (23) killed by Cannabis Prohibition
The 23 year olds death could’ve been avoided if Cannabis products were regulated
A 23-year-old business law student has died as a result of Cannabis Prohibition .
Damilola Olakanmi, from Ilford, east London, & a friend of hers bought what they thought to be Cannabis 'gummies' through a messaging app and they were delivered to her home where she fell ill last Tuesday. They each ate one sweet and immediately felt unwell. Both were taken to an east London hospital, where the woman died sadly on Saturday.
Her 21-year-old friend - a US student visiting the UK - was also seen by medics but was discharged after treatment.
Ms Olakanmi's mother Wumi, 51, had kept a vigil next to her bed until she passed away on Saturday night.
This situation could’ve been easily avoided should the 23 year old law student had a legal and regulated avenue through which she could access Cannabis products similar to that in a number of US states and Canada too.
Cannabis has been legal in the US for medical use for over 30 years and wider adult use is now legal in 18 US states. Never was a single death recorded over this time which can be blamed on cannabis use and if there was you would be sure the prohibitionists would remind us of it at every opportunity they got.
Numerous headlines with the misleading claim that this woman died from a “Cannabis Gummy”
The only reason this woman died is because of Cannabis prohibition. The media has already taken this opportunity to fire shots at Cannabis use with misleading headlines claiming the woman died from eating a “cannabis gummy” but it was a synthetic cannabinoid gummy which she actually ate. Some of these cannabinoids are highly experimental and dangerous. A study conducted in France a number of years ago investigating synthetic cannabinoids in assisting with eating disorders ended in tragedy when 1 man dies from brain hemorrhaging and 4 others fell really ill.
Leon Brown, 37, from South Norwood, has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class B synthetic cannabinoid, being concerned in the supply of a synthetic cannabinoid and possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance. The Met Police said he was found with a large quantity of cash and what were believed to be edible cannabis products.
He appeared in custody at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Monday (details of how the case went are unavailable right now).
Tests have been conducted on a number of sweets recovered by the police & Officers are working to identify any other cases where people have become seriously unwell after eating synthetic cannabis sweets, gummies or similar products.
They are aware of one potentially linked case in which a woman was taken unwell earlier in March after eating a cannabis sweet in Tower Hamlets. She was taken to hospital and later discharged. Inquiries are ongoing to establish whether this sweet was part of the batch of sweets associated with the woman's death.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, from Met Police, wastes his breath then by warning people against taking illegal substances, including those packaged in the form of cannabis sweets.
He said "Please do not buy or consume these products. They are illegal and, because of the child-friendly packaging, they can pose a risk of accidental consumption,". If the Mr. Bell really wanted to do his job and protect the public he would be sending a strongly worded letter to those with the power to end the prohibition of Cannabis, to regulate the supply to adults so police resources are no longer wasted and to ensure a safe supply of products to adult consumers like the 23 year old law student who sadly paid the ultimate price for a simple lack of regulation.
Pictured is the packaging used to deliver the deadly synthetic cannabinoid containing jellies
He added that this particular batch of sweets was contained in packaging featuring "Trrlli Peachie O's" branding. It has not been confirmed at this stage where the sweets were manufactured.
"Drug dealers harm communities and risk the safety of individuals. We will take positive action to target those engaged in this activity as well as those found in possession of these substances."
Mr. Bell if Drug Dealers harm communities what do prohibitionists do to them?
I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Damilola Olakanmi. I hope her death is not in vain and those with the power to do so act to avoid further tragedies like this.