Pubdate: Mon, 19 Jan 2004
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: Tim Summers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

TAKING LIBERTIES

IF, AS stated in your article ("Cannabis made me psychotic", T2, January 7),
"for years psychiatrists have noticed a high level of cannabis use among
people with psychosis, a generic term for schizophrenia, delusional
episodes, manic depression and so on", I hope they have also noticed a
similar level of cannabis use among almost everybody else, including
psychiatrists.

Certainly, cannabis use is unsuited to many people, but it is less dangerous
than tobacco, alcohol or crossing the road. Cannabis use is not a crime:
prohibition of cannabis is the crime against civil liberty and adult choice.
Balanced health warnings of relative risk are one thing, but the fining,
jailing, sacking and eviction of millions of people over 75 years of failed
policy is another. So, David Blunkett, free the weed on January 29 and stop
the reefer madness.

Tim Summers, London SE1
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MAP posted-by: Josh