Pubdate: Thu, 3 Dec 2009
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Page: 13
Copyright: 2009 Guardian News and Media Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Author: Deborah Orr
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?252 (Cannabis - Psychosis)

DON'T KNOCK FINDINGS ON DANGEROUS DRUGS

A Drug May Be Dangerous but That Alone Is Not a Reason to Make It 
Illegal. But It Is a Reason for Regulation

The Institute of Psychiatry has published research that links skunk 
and psychosis, and those who champion drug use are the least willing 
to accept its findings. This is quite the wrong approach. If you wish 
for the drugs debate to move forward, then scientific evidence of the 
dangers of drugs is to be welcomed. Danger alone is not a reason for 
illegality, or cars, electricity and alcohol would be illegal, not to 
mention people. Danger is a reason for regulation, which an illegal 
market cannot deliver. What cannabis users need is a safer 
alternative than whatever it is that they happen to be able to score, 
especially if the market-leading illegal offer is particularly virulent.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake