'SMOKING CANNABIS NEVER HELD ME BACK'

'Roger' Has Smoked Cannabis For Most Of His Life. He Is A Company It
Director, Leads A Full Life And Has Never Had A Hard Drugs Habit.

I am 46 and have smoked cannabis for 33 years now, admittedly normally only
an occasional joint every other week, but sometimes more.

Despite what some people may think of cannabis users I lead a full and
normal life.

I am the UK IT director and a UK executive board member, ironically, for a
leading multi-national pharmaceutical company and have studied up to
doctorate level.

My job means that I cannot be named, despite my strong feelings on the
cannabis debate.

I grow my own cannabis and have not been dragged into the criminal
underworld through my 'habit'.

I don't know where to buy the hard stuff these days and don't even mix the
drug with tobacco.

Quite frankly, anyone who considers me a criminal needs to have their head
examined.

'Try this'

Over the years I have taken other drugs - pretty much everything going -
but I have never been a habitual user.

I don't think I have an addictive personality, but other people may latch
on to something and that can be very dangerous.

When I was younger I would go to a dealer and they would not always have
cannabis and would say 'why don't you try this instead?'.

I think that if cannabis was made legal it would take away that danger of
people having easy access to things like crack or heroin.

Policemen

I am fairly open about the fact I smoke cannabis and when people find out
many are shocked, but plenty admit they do as well.

It is far more widespread and accepted than it was in the past and I have
even noticed potted cannabis plants in the garden of my middle-aged
next-door neighbours in a nice London suburb.

I would also mention that I have smoked dope in the last several years
with, amongst others, an MP, several policemen, the chairman of a plc and
other people like me, who live full, relatively successful lives.

I go to the gym at least once a week and used to play a number of sports
and only fail to do so now through work commitments.

I think the key to the debate is whether we want to live in a society that
tells people what is best for them, or one where people are allowed to make
their own decisions.