CANNABIS CAMPAIGN LETTERS

AS A retired consultant physician I write in order to support your campaign. Surely the huge amount of resources wasted on the pursuit and prosecution of people who possess or consume cannabis should be diverted towards the expansion of clinics for addicts.

Dr David Caldwell, FRCP

THE majority of people I know who started using cannabis are negative, depressed, violent, unemployed and with not much hope for the future. They all started when they were 12. They're lazy, lethargic and live in their own little worlds. I am quite concerned with your continued
promotion of the substance. In my opinion the drug is a nightmare.

Alex Fraser, Bath

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I PUT it to the drug authorities and politicians that they have failed. I am a former heroin addict and I used to supply my brother with cannabis before he passed away. He was HIV positive. There are thousands more junkies now than there were in 1971. Drugs weren't the cause of my problems
so that when I did detoxify in 1984 they were still there. I may have started on cannabis but it is not a gateway drug. If anything, it is a gateway back. It gave me the time and perspective to address my problems and get on with my life.

Tim Morton, Trainee counsellor

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I SUPPORT your campaign. When I roll my first joint of the day after homework is completed and the kids routed from the sittingroom, my cat would position himself at my shoulder. At my first puff he would lean forward and push his nose and mouth as close to the smoke as possible and
breathe in slowly and deeply. After a few joints shared this way he would turn into a lazy tart, lolling on any available lap. Sensuous.

That was before he fell victim to a speeding car. I cried more for him than when my mother died.

Sue Parker

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I AM (as near as makes no difference!) 40 and have multiple sclerosis, and cannabis does help. Sadly, I know that it is not a cure but it is a very effective management tool which helps with some of the symptoms. I would like the campaign to succeed as, like many, many others I do not like being a criminal for justifiable medical reasons.

Being reasonably well educated and an exArmy officer I am sure that, like the many, many users (not necessarily medical users) I know precisely what I am doing and, like them, deplore the national lack of education and understanding on the subject. Good luck!

WTS

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THE debate concerning the decriminalisation of cannabis didn't really touch me until I recently developed breast cancer. Now I find the only effective relief I can get from my chemotherapy treatment is through smoking marijuana.

I don't mind breaking the law since I consider the law somewhat arbitrary on the distinction between illegal and legal use of drugs. I have no wish, however, to be prosecuted. I shall be unable to get through the rest of treatment without cannabis and am therefore prepared to continue and risk prosecution.

Jill Turner, Surrey