Why not legalise cannabis?

[PDTV]

It seems to me that there are more pros than cons in the argument for legalising cannabis, so what's the problem?

[SMILL48]

There is an article on cannabis and the law on Answerbank - just click article 1414

[modge]

Fear, probably, of those people who see all 'drugs' as the same terrifying, child-killing danger. Although they'll quite happily enjoy a glass of whisky and a cigarette without blinkinga hypocritic eye.

[SMILL48]

Canada has just become the first country to legalise medicinal use of cannabis. People who suffer from chronic illnesses are now allowed to grow and smoke it. This change came about because of a court ruling. Terrance Parker is a 44-year-old epileptic who uses cannabis to control his seizures. He was arrested in 1996 for possession, cultivation and trafficking after police raided his home and found more than 70 marijuana plants. Mr Parker argued that his constitutional rights were being abused and a judge agreed. The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the ruling, and agreed that asking a person to choose between his health and imprisonment violates his right to liberty. However, use of the dug has been limited to the terminally ill with a prognosis of death within one year, those with symptoms associated with a specific, serious condition and those with other illnesses who have statements from two doctors saying conventional treatments have not worked. People with severe arthritis, cancer, HIV/Aids and multiple sclerosis will also be eligible. To provide an adequate supply, the Canadian government is growing its own, too.