RECLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

HOME Secretary David Blunkett's reclassification of cannabis is 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 use and
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering 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 remains illegal and distributed by organised
criminals, consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers
of hard drugs like crack cocaine.

Given that cannabis is arguably safer than legal alcohol - the plant
has never been shown to cause an overdose death - it makes no sense to
waste tax revenue on failed policies that finance organised crime and
facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy,
Washington DC, America