USE OF CANNABIS

It sounds sensible to make available cannabis-based drugs for pain relief
and other medical purposes after appropriate medical research. Should we
legalise cannabis for retail sale over the shop counter and, thereby,
massively increase availability and consumption in the population,
particularly, most likely, among young people? No, I don't think so!

The single assertion that justifies proper consideration is that
legalisation could mitigate against the illegal drugs barons, and
subsequently break the link between soft and hard drugs, particularly heroin.

This argument is not at all convincing, and, even if proven to have some
merit, would have to be balanced against the social effects of the likely
huge increase in cannabis consumption.

JIM McDAID

Craufurd Avenue

West Kilbride, Ayrshire