The Burning Question: Should cannabis use be decriminalised?

Mark Baker

Cannabis should definitely be legal because it is no more harmful to you than cigarettes or alcohol. It also has medical uses. Beside that, making it legal will make it safer because there won't be criminal activities connected to it. You have to respect people's ability to be responsible for themselves.

Natalie Forrester

It should be legal because there are a lot harder drugs out there and loads of people doing things like ecstasy - it would be easier to count the number of people who haven't done stuff. Hash isn't as bad as most other drugs and I don't think it necessarily leads on to harder stuff like people sometimes say.

John McMullin

I'm very half and half about this. I wouldn't say there is a danger of dependency on cannabis, but there could be a danger in that it could mean a softer image for all drugs. Those people who want to legalise cannabis promote a nice image of the drug and that could make all drugs seem acceptable.

Annette Ryan

Dope should be legalised immediately - you should be allowed to grow, harvest and smoke it. The first drugs most people use are alcohol and cigarettes, which are much more dangerous. People should be educated about cannabis to demystify it and help them stand up to peer pressure to use it.

Barry Hughes

I don't think the gardai are worried about people with a little bit of hash on them now. They've more important crimes to be dealing with, so it seems a bit stupid for it not to be legalised. There'll always be a people who smoke it and think it's as normal a thing to do as have a cup of tea. The Government could tax it.

Amy Hamilton

I would never smoke by choice, but I really don't think cannabis use or possession should be a criminal offence. Smoking hash isn't seen as a big deal by most people - our parents' generation were into it too. The problem with it being a crime is that the type of people who are dealing the drug are just getting more money.