LEGALISE CANNABIS TO STOP CRIME

Sir, I believe Britain's gangbusters are just as worried about having
their budgets cut as American drug warriors. When threatened,
misinformation is the first defense.

According to your report (February 18), the National Crime Squad is
claiming that softening cannabis laws will fuel organized crime.
Cannabis is a weed and grows like one. If it were legal, selling it
would be less profitable than selling lettuce or tomatoes.

More important, separating the soft and hard drug markets would stop
putting users of the most popular illicit drug (cannabis) in contact
with pushers of heroin and cocaine.

Given that cannabis is acknowledged by many public health experts to
be less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, it makes no sense to
perpetuate draconian drug policies which facilitate the introduction
of hard drugs to youth.

Sincerely, ROBERT SHARPE (Graduate student, George Washington
University), 3201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Apt. 701, Washington DC 20016.
February 18.

Sir, Some people have problems with drugs, and not just users. Bob
Packham, deputy director general of the National Crime Squad, seems to
me to be in a state of confusion.

He understands, correctly, that cannabis - along with the hard drugs -
is supplied by criminal gangs. He also rightly understands that
ignoring the present law on possession of cannabis will allow the
trade to grow.

But he doesn't seem to have grasped that the trade has expanded
because cannabis is illegal. Something which is demanded by such a
large section of the population will be provided. If you don't allow a
legal supply, then you'll have an illegal one.

If he is really concerned about closing down these gangs, there is
only one way to do it - put them out of business economically by
allowing a legal, regulated trade to undercut the illegal market.

Yours sincerely, DEREK WILLIAMS, 21 Pembroke Road, Norwich NR2 3HD.
February 18.

Sir, Mrs Lezley Gibson (letter, February 17) notes how cannabis
prevents her from being severely disabled by multiple sclerosis.

A major trial with cannabis is about to start in the South West of
England to establish the extent to which cannabis helps those with
this distressing condition. It may be hoped that the drug will be
available on prescription if good scientific evidence shows that
cannabis can have a worthwhile effect.

Research in this field is difficult since the manifestations of
multiple sclerosis are so variable and the clinical course so erratic.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to show the value of medication in
the individual patient, although studies in groups of patients can
produce worthwhile results.

Yours sincerely, C. GARDNER-THORPE (Consultant neurologist), The Coach
House, 1a College Road, Exeter, Devon EX1 1TE. February 17.