CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS

Sir, David Blunkett's reclassification of cannabis (Comment, March 21) was
merely a step in the right direction. There is a big difference between
condoning cannabis use and protecting children from drugs.

Decriminalisation acknowledges the social reality of cannabis and protects
users from being given criminal records. What's really needed is a
regulated market with age controls. Separating the hard and soft drug
markets is critical.

As long as cannabis distribution remains in the hands of organised crime,
consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs
such as crack cocaine. Given that cannabis is arguably safer than legal
alcohol, it makes no sense to waste tax revenue on failed policies that
finance organised crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs. Drug policy
reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think the
children are more important than the message.

Sincerely, ROBERT SHARPE (Policy analyst), Common Sense for Drug Policy