FACTS ABOUT PAIN AND CANNABIS

'Christine' says arthritis is not an excuse to take illegal drugs, and
'it's a known fact that cannabis leads to paranoia' (LT, September
2).

Firstly, it is not an 'illegal drug', it is the possession,
cultivation and supply that is illegal.

There is a big distinction there: the law is aimed at people, not
substances.

Secondly, paranoia is a mental health problem experienced by some
people and whilst cannabis may worsen it for some, it eases it for
others - there is plenty of information online to confirm that.

An estimated 3 to 5million people in the UK use cannabis, many to ease
dreadful pains and suffering that prescribed medication does not
touch. They are not all paranoid, by far.

Furthermore, cannabis as plant material is now available on
prescription, through doctors, pharmacists and clinics, in The
Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Canada and many US states.

Pain is no excuse to break the law - but it is a justifiable reason
and anybody who suffers or is watching somebody suffer ought to
understand that.

People who possess or grow cannabis in their own homes for their own
use and do no harm to others ought not to be punished.

That is where the law is at fault.

Alun Buffry

Norwich.