Sir

- I read with interest your report on the Church of Scotland's call
for the decriminalisation of cannabis, and then with dismay your editorial
comment relating to it. It saddens me that at a time when the General
Assembly finally becomes enlightened about the stupidity of the
prohibition of the harmless drug, cannabis, the Scotsman reiterates those
same, tired arguments.

Your view that it is the Government's belief that "pot smoking can lead
to harder and more harmful drugs" and, therefore, should be banned,
ignores the vital point that it is the illegal status of cannabis which
allows the users to be introduced to these harder drugs. It is unlikely
that a chemist or a legal "coffee shop" selling cannabis would try to push
other drugs on to the consumer, whereas dealers are only too happy to do
this.

The claim that there is "no evidence" of Amsterdam's decriminalisation of
cannabis alleviating the drug problem ignores the success achieved in
separating the soft and hard drug markets, resulting in a decline in the
number of heroin users at a time when most other European countries are
seeing a rapid increase.

The drug problem is certainly not alleviated through the policies employed
in the United States, which the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is so keen to
copy.

The Kirk wishes to regain interest from the youth of Scotland. There is
substantial evidence to suggest that the majority of that youth has
indulged in cannabis smoking. Young Scots may regain an interest in the
Church, realizing that it isn't so out of touch after all, unlike the
Scotsman!

Errol Garbut
St Leonards Street, Edinburgh