CANNABIS LEGISLATION CANNOT BE ISOLATED FROM OTHER ISSUES

Sir, The use and possession of cannabis (report, July 11) is illegal in
this country. Its presence is due to illegal bulk importation, most
probably by the same criminal organisations that also import the harder
drugs. All parties seem agreed that such organisations must be aggressively
suppressed and prosecuted.

The individual use of cannabis, no matter how minor, is collectively the
substantial market support for this illegal traffic.

Surely the debate and action must be directed at whether or not to legalise
or licence the drug and not on relaxation of criminal penalties. Relaxation
simply acts, and is acting, to support the illegal importation of all
drugs, hard and soft.

Because of this, the current use of cannabis cannot be considered
comparable to alcohol and tobacco, both of which are legally licensed and
imported into this country.

Until there is any change to legislation, the police and the courts must be
vigorous in respect to all illegal drug use and possession; only in this
way will the fight against the harder drugs have any chance of success.

Yours truly,

PETER WILLIAMS

Somerset