SUMMERHILL, England, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A coroner's inquest in England has determined a man who smoked six marijuana cigarettes per day died of cannabis poisoning, The Mirror reported Tuesday.
The death of Lee Maisey, 36, is the first in Britain attributed to smoking marijuana. He apparently smoked 24,000 joints over 11 years.
Maisey was found dead on the floor of his living room. His roommate testified at the inquest Maisey had complained of a headache the previous day.
The cause of death was recorded as cannabis toxicity.
Dr. Philip Guy, lecturer in addictions at the University of Hull, told the inquest: "Cannabis is now a lot stronger. It is not like the nice hippy drug used to be."
Meanwhile, Britain is downgrading marijuana from a Class B to a Class C drug, effective Jan. 29. A group of scientific and medical experts determined the substance was less harmful than other Class B drugs, such as amphetamine.
In terms of the law, the reclassification will put cannabis on a par with steroids.
The same day, the government will begin a $1.75 million advertising campaign to emphasize the drug will remain illegal despite the law change.
