Cannabis can help

dAvId SIdWICk’S article (Mail) is a scientifically and medically misguided piece of political posturing.

his position is broadly that cannabis causes psychosis, as well as some alleged other issues. however, it is the high ThC ‘street’ cannabis which causes psychosis in a handful of people; it is extremely rare in the cases of those medically using it.

Mr Sidwick claims that studies have shown cannabis can be linked to cancer and birth defects. There was indeed a recent piece of ‘research’ which supported these claims. however, it was debunked shortly after.

Over one million people in the uk use cannabis each year, and there is clear evidence of how it has changed the lives of those with medical conditions for the better, including children, the long-term sick and the elderly.

There is no evidence that tougher sentencing reduces drug use. Indeed, it largely serves to criminalise some of the most marginalised in society.

The priority when devising rules around substance usage must be harm reduction, based on scientific and medical evidence. The direction of travel in other countries is to shift

their approach to a focus on cannabis as a medicine. furthermore, the CBd, hemp and prescription cannabis industry offers significant opportunities to boost uk exports, create jobs, and bring in foreign investment.

We welcome the confirmation from the prime Minister that there are no plans to increase the classification of cannabis. Rather than political posturing on cannabis to look ‘tough on drugs’, the focus should be on the significant medical, economic and environmental benefits of the plant.

MIke MoRGAN-GILeS, Ceo, Cannabis Industry Council.