WAS IT A GOOD IDEA?

IT IS interesting to note how the past seems to come back to haunt us.
Remember how cigarette companies and medical authorities were at odds over
the benefits or dangers of smoking in the 60s and 70s?

Some argued that tobacco could be used for medicinal purposes to soothe
anxiety and ease sore throats. Others argued it was a killer. Who was
proved right?

Sylvia Jones (Common sense, Letters, 19/5) raised the issue of how in
hindsight we may see the error of our thinking. The debate over whether
cannabis should be legalised for personal use or for medicinal purposes has
echoes of the past.

Will we one day look back at the legislation for cannabis as an error of
judgment? Will we question the common sense of legislators? What will we
say when we see increased rates of schizophrenia and lung cancer due to the
use of cannabis - it seemed like a good idea at the time?

ELAINE FRASER

Walliston