Penny
There is no basis for saying that overall-cannabis use has fallen substantially in the last few years. That is why the government is worried. The British Crime Survey indicates a slight fall in the 16 to 24 age group but that is because it becomes unfashionable, it gets replaced with cocaine, crack cocaine and alcohol. All the serious evidence is that cannabis use has "broadened and deepened", first use is earlier than ever-often pre-teen, first regular use is earlier
( when the young brain is most vulnerable) and for a substantial number of regular users, use goes on for much longer than was typical a generation ago. As for "Holland", their approach to drugs has led to that country becoming a warehouse for illegal drugs serving western europe, and, in respect of amphetamine type substances (ATS) a world centre of production. The Netherlands has, in relation to population size, a third world drug traficking problem (and levels of criminality), with a first-world economy .

David Raynes, BATH, UK

Peter O'Loughlin, your comment is most confused. On the one hand you say that legalising cannabis would result in increased use down to increased availability (a point I would totally refute - cannabis is VERY easy to get hold of), but on the other hand you say that if it was legalised it would be more expensive and, therefore, people would still go to dealers who would offer it cheaper. If people are not currently smoking it because they can't get hold of it, then why on earth would they seek out the same dealers they can't currently find in order to save a few pennies?

Clutching at straws to defend the preposterous prohibition policy that has been failing us for a hundred years, methinks.

Nichoas Ord, Guildford, UK

The fact that cannbis is an illicit drug does not in anyway detract or add to the dangers highlighted in Mary Brett's letter. Suggestions to the contrary can safely be regarded as 'red herrings' designed to detract from the truth. In fact Mary Brett's letter, together with the scientific evidence she has submitted to the ACDM makes it clear that this drug should remain illicit.

The legalising of cannabis would have a similar, if not greater influence than the inexplicable downgrading of it, inasmuch that because it is is legal, it would become more easily available than it is now. The increased availability of alcohol shows all too clearly that the greater the availability, the greater the use, resulting in both cases, increases in the psychological and physiological problems caused by both drugs.

If cannabis were legalised, one can be certain the price would go up, thereby creating a black market for cheaper supplies; is that what users want?

Peter O'Loughlin, Beckenham. BR3 3AT, Kent

Cannabis use has been steadily falling since the Government relaxed the laws and moved the drug to class 'c' so why would this group want 'tougher' laws; would this not be a step backwards?

Tougher laws simply means more profit for drug dealers and further push the cannabis problems underground and even further out of our control. What research can this group provide that proves stronger drug laws will decrease the UK's drug problems?

Holland has forty years of actual hard evidence that proves if you decriminalise cannabis use it deglamourizes it in the eyes of the 'rebellious young' - legal cannabis is boring in the eyes of Dutch children because anybody can smoke it if they wish.

If the Government is serious in its commitment to reducing our drug problems they should decriminalise cannabis use for adults, drawing a distinct line between hard drugs and cannabis use and stop criminalising otherwise law-abiding citizens.

If you support prohibtion you support drug dealers.

Penny, Oxford, UK

Cannabis is not a controlled drug because it's illegal. Reclassification to class B will not change the simple fact that an established part of British culture is supplied by organised crime.

The "eyes if the world" are also on Holland, where there are moves to fully legalise and regulate the cannabis trade and on changing attitudes in the USA where the failure of prohibition is at last being recognised.

Derek Williams, Norwich, Norfolk

Whatever the classification, cannabis has remained illegal. There are serious penalties for importing, growing and selling it. These do not seem to have protected anybody.
Prohibition is a failed policy. Education and harm reduction must replace it.

S Goldthorpe, London,