I WAS said to hear of M. Simms' experience with youth suicide (Dangerous
drug, 13/3). It is obvious that prohibition has failed in discouraging our
youth and the mentally ill from using cannabis.

Under prohibition, minors can buy illicit drugs far easier than regulated
substances like alcohol and tobacco. Under prohibition, there are no
warning labels or health information distibuted with cannabis. Under
prohibition, the stigma attached to cannabis use dissuades users from
seeking medical advice or mentioning their intoxicant of choice to their GP.

Cannabis is not harmless - it should not be used by minors or those with
mental health problems. However, responsible cannabis use by consenting
adults is far safer than the use of alcohol, let alone the majority of
over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Alcohol is abused throughout
society, but we don't ban its sale or punish responsible alcohol users - we
provide guidelines on how it can be used safely. Not all drug use is
abuse. Adults who use cannabis responsibly should not be persecuted simply
because a minority is guilty of substance abuse.

The most significant harm from cannabis is caused by prohibition: criminal
records and a lack of accurate information, particularly on safer
alternatives to smoking. Cannabis users should not be given criminal
records, let alone punished in the first place.

Niall Young

Mount Lawley