Pubdate: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2007 Guardian Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n910/a09.html Author: Dave Young HONESTY NEEDED IN CANNABIS DEBATE Jackie Ashley (Cannabis is bad for you, but it's also impossible to ban, July 30) wisely calls for better drug education and the need to see cannabis use as primarily a health rather than legal issue. A little more honesty from politicians might also help the debate. Amazingly an increasing number of MPs admit to smoking dope a couple of times, but apparently not one enjoyed it. Young people aren't fools - they know from their own experience that recreational drugs are, at least initially, pleasurable. People would hardly bother taking them if they weren't. How hard is it to say "I used to enjoy a spliff, but grew out of indulging and now have an awareness of the health dangers unavailable then"? Honesty, coupled with sufficient funding, makes for a far better drugs policy. Dave Young London - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom