Pubdate: Wed, 05 Aug 2015
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2015 Telegraph Media Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: William Wilson

EFFECTS OF CANNABIS

SIR  Your article on the inherent dangers of legalising cannabis is a 
timely warning (Features, August 1).

The groups lobbying for this drug to be decriminalised say that this 
may reduce usage. In the past they have also pointed out that the 
costs of nicotine and alcohol addiction to the NHS are much greater 
than those of cannabis  although if the drug were legalised, the 
costs would presumably rise.

But there is a fundamental reason why such legislation should not 
occur. Many people previously addicted to nicotine or alcohol can 
make a full recovery by abstaining; that is not always the case with 
other drugs.

I have a young relative who for many years smoked skunk with its high 
tetrahydrocannabinol content. He suffers psychoses and other mental 
disorders from which he will not recover. This has blighted his life 
and the lives of his parents and wider family.

William Wilson

London SW11
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