CHOOSING TO TAKE JUST AN EXTRA RISK

June Rose (Evening News, Friday, 25 July) implied; that she did not approve
of the prosecution/jailing of sick people who use cannabis.

But she expressed concern a legal supply for medicinal users could open the
floodgates to increased trafficking and recreational use, which, in turn
may lead to more mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.

There is no evidence to show that a legal regulated (tolerated) cannabis
supply would lead to increased consumption

The decision to use, or not to use, cannabis rarely has anything to do with
the law.

And, as will become transparently clear, neither, "prohibition" or
"reclassification" has anything to do with the health and safety risks.

Life is full risks.

So what if cannabis may pose some health risks. Why are we not prepared to
accept and live with these risks?

Every supermarket in the country sells heavily promoted food items, over
the counter medications and domestic cleaning products, many of which, if
used inappropriately or in excess, can lead to poisoning (toxic response)
gastrointestinal distress, cardiac arrest, obesity, liver damage,
neurological damage, schizophrenia, depression - Eeen death.

We do not prohibit these substances,

We do not arrest and imprison people who use them.

Neither do we refuse them household insurance, sack them, evict them from
their homes, expel children from school or take children into care.

Instead, we live with these risks, we try to educate the public with health
promotions literature and warn the consumer of the potential harms with
labels on the packaging (except for alcohol).

And we regulate the supply!

Don Barnard Legalise Cannabis Alliance Norwich