WHY LEGALISING CANNABIS WOULD BE SUCH FOLLY

I would like to respond to Derrick Large, a candidate in the Romsey
by-election for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (Echo, May 3). As an
arthritis sufferer I, like most with the condition, would welcome any
relief. However, for the government to legalise this drug would be highly
irresponsible.

Although a good percentage of users find it safe, enjoyable and even
medicinal, it is also proven to create mood swings, anxiety, depression,
paranoia and in rare cases can spark off schizophrenic episodes, all of
which are stressful to sufferers and their relatives.

The four occasions I've taken cannabis I've had such experiences and they
are unpleasant to say the least. The effects can go on and often last a
long while. If you have an underlying mental health problem, cannabis can
bring it to the fore.

I believe a well-balanced mind can use cannabis to advantage, but an
unbalanced depressive would sink further. Doctors distributing the drug
can't possibly determine if a patient is susceptible to depression or worse
until cannabis has been prescribed and then it's too late.

Legalising it might reduce crime but it would most certainly raise the
levels of domestic violence due to mood swings and paranoia and this is the
environment where our children have to grow up in. We have enough abused
children without adding to the total and we have to protect them. They are
our future, let's try to make it a bright one for their sakes.

D McEnroe, Shirley, Southampton.