Pubdate: Thurs, 02 Nov 2000
Source: Evening Courier (UK)
Copyright: 2000 The Halifax Courier Ltd.
Contact:  Mailbag, PO Box 19, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 2SF, England
Fax: +44-(0)1422-260341
Website: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/
Author:  Derek Williams

CANNABIS SPOOF MADE MY BLOOD BOIL

I WAS one of the people from far-flung places who wrote in to complain 
about William Marshall's stupid article (or, as he would have it, "jolly 
spoof") about what the world would be like if cannabis were legalised 
("Going up in smoke", "Evening Courier", October 11).

I was sent the story by a friend who knows I have an interest in this 
subject.  He was right to assume it would make my blood boil.

For too long we've had the same old lies and stereotypes of cannabis users, 
used to prop up an evil and very destructive law which has ruined the lives 
of many millions of otherwise decent people.  I, for one, have had enough 
of this and so I will speak out every time I see articles like William's 
published.

All I ask is that this very important issue is treated seriously and that 
all aspects of the debate are covered, including the claims made by both 
the supporters of the drug war and the claims of the legalisers.

What we don't need is mindless repetition of stereotypes and lies.

DEREK WILLIAMS
Pembroke Road
Norwich
Norfolk
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