Pubdate: Mon, 29 Oct 2001
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2001 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Maurice Jay
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CANNABIS CONFUSION

Sir, An anonymous letter writer says his son is addicted to cannabis 
(letter, 27 October).  Has it not occurred to him that his son is addicted 
not to cannabis but to the  tobacco he uses to make his joints (or possibly 
to the ritual of making them)?  Because cannabis is illegal in the UK 
joints cannot be bought ready-made and it is imported mainly in its 
concentrated form as resin (hash) which, to be smoked, must be mixed with 
tobacco unless it is smoked in a specially designed pipe (chillum).

If cannabis were legalised, it could be grown here or imported as grass, 
which does not need to be diluted with tobacco.  I am not myself a user, 
but I have been told that grass has the added advantage of being "softer" 
in its effects.

Maurice Jay
London NW11
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