Thank you for livening up the cannabis debate. (IS IT TIME TO LEGALISE
CANNABIS?: Evening News, March 18).

This very serious question deserves far more attention than most
politicians seem to want to give it.

Whilst it was clear that not all 'legalise cannabis campaigners' want
exactly the same changes in law, the prohibition arguments let their own
side down badly.

All the harm allegations which Mr Paul Betts attributed to cannabis have
been contradicted in the scientific reports.

Without going into detail now I can point to two publications which
exonerate cannabis from the myths perpetuated by prohibitionists. These
are 'Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts' by Professors Morgan and Zimmer, and
The Report of the FCDA Europe.

If Mr Betts and his lobby went to the trouble of reading the evidence they
may learn something.

Clearly the 'Keep cannabis illegal" lobby have no argument at all, for even
if cannabis did cause problems, the present legal system is causing even
more.

It is the very illegality of cannabis which has thrown the supplies and
untaxed profits into the hands of criminally organised gangs who act as the
real 'gateway' to lead people from one substance to another.

Alun Buffry
Norwich