I find your headline "Evidence Mounts Against Cannabis" (Sept 11) totally misleading and pure sensationalism, akin to the propaganda propagated by the Hurst newspaper chain that lead to cannabis becoming an illegal substance in America back in the 1920s. The article that follows refers to a correlation between teens using cannabis and a series of negative outcomes such as poor educational achievement. Firstly, I would note that no one advocating legalisation of cannabis would want teenagers using the drug in the first place, and also that regulation, education and control will limit the availability to the teen market. [continues 83 words]
The latest Gallop poll in America has shown that a solid majority now support the legalisation of cannabis (Oct 25). The irony is that America is behind the pressure to prevent other countries around the world from legalising cannabis. The time has come for New Zealand to grow up and take a rational look at the benefits of hemp (cannabis). Let's move away from treating young and old as criminals for smoking a substance that has killed no-one and has minimal health risks, certainly far less than alcohol and tobacco. MARC FIBBENS Halswell [end]
