DRUG ABUSE

Congratulations to the Independent for starting a highprofile campaign to
have cannabis decriminilised. Cannabis has been proven to be one of the
safest drugs available. I cannot understand some people's ingorance on the
subject.

It strikes me that the majority of people against decriminilising
marijuana, apart from never having tried it, are not only illinformed
moral crusaders but hypocrites too. Alcohol, nicotine and caffeine are all
drugs that are (potentially) more harmful than cannabis. Surely alcohol is
a far worse drug you only need to look at the death, violence, sickness
and associated crime rates to see its comparison to cannabis.

Cannabis users do not smoke a spliff then think "I'll have some cocaine
now." There are two factors why some users go on to harder drugs. One is
because many users are forced to deal with 'underworld' types to buy their
pot, and the latter are keen to push the harder drugs as they are addictive
and turn higher profits. But the main reason, I believe, is the personality
of the user, not the drug itself. That said, very few pot smokers regularly
use any other drugs, alcohol included.

Surely, though, if cannabis smoking harms noone else, why should the law
dictate to us what we do with, and put into, our own bodies? It is noone
else's business. If I want to eat a cream cake it is not illegal, though I
know it will increase the level of saturated fatty acids in my blood.

We should not be labelled criminals for our choice of smoking substance.
The law cannot stop us smoking cannabis but only cause disrespect for the
authority which it imposes it. A SIG will be opening soon to discuss the
topic. Both people who agree with and those who oppose decriminilisation
are welcome to join for logical discussion on all aspects of cannabis use.

Oliver Channell-Martin,

Birmingham