Letters to the Editor

RISKS OF CANNABIS

Sir, You printed a letter (May 30th) proclaiming inter alia that
"of all the millions of people who have taken cannabis, no one
has died as a result". I feel dutybound, as a medical
practitioner, to advise you that this is dangerous nonsense.

I do not propose to entertain this debate with a list of the
adverse effects which has caused the medical profession to
back the ban on cannabis. One fact, however, merits reciting
cannabis smokers are twice as likely to develop lung cancer as
cigarette smokers. Yours, etc.,
SEAN FLANNERY, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.

Irish Times
Wednesday, 30 May 1997
Letters to the Editor

LEGALISING CANNABIS

Sir, I am amazed at the public's perception of the Legalise
Cannabis Party. It is one of either extreme hostility or
jocularity. It should be noted that every new movement is met
with distrust in Irish society. When the antiapartheid
movement started up it was viewed with so much suspicion that
the Special Branch used to surreptitiously attend its meetings,
no doubt in the hope of catching some communist or other
misfit. Likewise, it wasn't so long ago that to advocate equality
for homosexuals would mean an end to a political career.
Thankfully we have grown up a lot over the past few years, yet
in regard to the drugs problem our politicians are still stuck with
their heads in the sand.

Space does not permit me to list all the reasons why cannabis
should be legalised, but the public should be aware of some
fundamental facts:

1. Prohibiting drugs does not work. The alcohol prohibition
in America created an illegal organisation which 70 years
on is still reaping the benefits.

2. If our prisons are overcrowded it makes little sense to
lock away people whose only crime is to be caught in
possession of small amounts of cannabis.

3. Of all the millions of people who have taken cannabis,
no one has died as a result.

If all the political parties are so sure that cannabis should be
prohibited, why do they refuse to debate the issue with the
Legalise Cannabis Party? Yours, etc.,
JOHN McKEE, Deansgrange, Co Dublin.

Shug

Legalise Cannabis Campaign Scotland http://www.thepulse.co.uk/lcc.scotland

Media Awareness Project UK http://www.eezeecope.demon.co.uk/LegaliseUK/
pages/MAPUK.html

Legalize! http://www.legalize.org/global

UK Cannabis Internet Activists http://www.foobar.co.uk/users/ukcia/