The Home Secretary, Jack Straw, says that if campaigners can show
that cannabis is not a dangerous drug, then the Government may
reconsider its stance on cannabis prohibition ("Straw's challenge
over cannabis drugs", 5 January).

The evidence has always been there. In 1968, the UK Royal
Commission, the Wootton Report, concurring with other major
reports on cannabis, said that cannabis ought not to be illegal
and its use did not pose unacceptable risks. Since then other
reports have concluded that cannabis is not addictive, does not
lead to hard drug use, does not detrimentally affect memory or
motor skills (including empirical testing of the effects on
drivers), does not cause cancer or damage the lungs, and is not
associated with any particular lifestyle.

Maybe the arrest of Jack Straw's son has achieved something after
all. Maybe now people will wake up to the fact that this unjust
and unworkable cannabis law may eventually lead to the arrest of
their own sons and daughters, for using a safe plant in
preference to dangerous intoxicants, a crime without a victim.

Jack Girling, Chairman
Campaign to Legalise Cannabis
International Association Norwich