The problem? Prescription drugs.

The situation and the surrounding hours leading up to the death of Heath Ledger have taken up even more column inch's in the UK (if that were possible) than the cannabis reclassification argument.

For almost a week the speculation continued as to what actually caused the death of Heath Ledger, until it was finally quashed yesterday, February 6th, with an announcement from the star's grief-stricken father in which it was said that Ledger never took his own life. In fact, it was an accidental overdose which killed the Brokeback Mountain star.

Be that as it may, the fact remains a bunch of drugs which were supplied by the pharmaceutical industry, a bunch of drugs which are seemingly dispensed by doctors like sweeties, reacted with each other and caused Ledgers death. Or did they?

The fact is we will never know exactly what happened on that day in his Manhattan apartment. We'll never know why the masseuse decided to call one of the Olsen twins as opposed to the emergency services and as for whether these actions actually played a part in the ultimate demise of Heath Ledger? Well that's pure speculation, as the cloak of secrecy has been drawn around the entire situation once and for all.

Heath Ledger is dead as a result of...well, who knows?

But the legacy of his death is yet to fully manifest itself, as the news reports of the last couple of days nurture and propogate an entirely new issue.

Whats in your medicine cabinet
For the last 24 hours the news has carried a list of drugs which were found in Ledgers system according to autopsy reports and it reads like a fraternity house party menu.

There were brand names I had never even heard of before, but one thing is for sure. The Heath Ledger situation has made sure I, as well as millions of other people of all ages, know about them now. Which got me to thinking of what a wonderfully effective marketing campaign this has been for the pharmaceutical industry.

Even the cannabis "anti-christ", Fox News in the US, has covered every single substance found in Ledgers system, in minute detail. To the extent of wheeling out Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing editor of health for the news network, which has traditionally been one of the most voiciferous opponents of the United States Medical Marijuana Program, to give his unbiased take on the drugs Heath Ledger took.

As someone who has used cannabis to defeat alcoholism it struck me how the double standards employed by politicians, police and news agencies across the world, can manifest one substance, in this instance cannabis, as public enemy number#1, yet in the same article, can spell out exactly what labels a 14 year old child needs to look for in mum or dads medicine cabinet to ensure they can score a high without ever having to leave home.

Convenience and access, which cannabis has never enjoyed. Thats what I call marketing on a global scale.

I watched a Chris Rock video recently, in which the stand up comedian gave his take on the global drugs issue, and while I personally don't find the racial element of his material all that funny, some of the things he says with regard to drugs, are right on the money. For instance;

The reason the United States has outlawed cocaine and heroin, is because the US don't make the best cocaine and heroin in the world. Those dubious honours belong to Colombia and Afghanistan respectively.

The reason the US doesn't legalise cannabis, is because the US doesn't grow the best marijuana in the world. Some would say that honour belongs to the Netherlands, and as a result the rest of the world has to fall in line with what US drug czar John Walters and his White House zealots say.

And yet, the drugs that the establishment DO produce? The drugs which collectively, kill millions of citizens across the globe every year? Drugs like tobacco. Drugs like Hydrocodone. Drugs like alcohol?

They're OK I guess. Not only are they OK, but every now and then a situation arises like the tragic death of a young man who seemingly had the world at his feet. But rather than just let Heath Ledger rest in peace, it was decided, that Heath would take part in just one more, global marketing campaign.

And from where I'm sitting, its been a rip-snorting success.

Good job!

Check the video for what Chris Rock thinks of the global drugs issue and please, leave your comments below. WARNING: Strong Language!!

The Canna Zine is 1 year old this week. Happy birthday to us, and thanks to everyone who visits the Canna Zine to find out whats happening in the world of cannabis, and illicit drugs generally.