Cannabis and the law

Sir, – Arguments against cannabis decriminalisation – such as that offered by John B Reid (May 1st) – more often than not rely upon the fallacy that the properties of the drug make it a "gateway" to harder substances. The irony of this argument is that it is the criminal status of cannabis, which Mr Reid and others seek to preserve, that assigns the drug its "gateway" label.

What of alcohol and cigarettes? Combined, these two drugs kill millions of people worldwide every year but the argument is rarely made that they represent a “gateway”, despite the fact that both are consumed in unhealthy amounts by many of those who are also addicted to illegal drugs.

Undoubtedly, those who try cannabis are more likely to try harder drugs than those who don’t. The main reason for this, however, is because one must go to a drug dealer to purchase cannabis. – Yours, etc,

JOHN HOGAN,

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Ballyneety,

Co Limerick.