It's a drug that is enjoyed by millions of people all over the country, no matter what class, creed or colour. It relaxes people, helps them to create and enhances lovemaking. So why isn't alcohol on trial instead of cannabis?

Yes, believe it or not, the first paragraph of this blog describes cannabis, not alcohol. Though when you think more about it, it doesn't actually seem that unbelievable.

After all, cannabis is enjoyed by millions of people from all backgrounds in this country. Cannabis does relax one, as is its purpose. As for creativity, do you really think we would have had Sergeant Pepper if it weren't for a bit of Mother Nature?

As for the lovemaking, I'll let you discuss that one amongst yourselves.

Now, what about alcohol? Speaking as one who has had a fair old battle with the Alcohol Fairy over the years, I can truly say that alcohol is a 'baddie'. We all know that drinking alcohol to excess is bad for our healths, both physical and mental. Alcoholism ruins relationships, careers and friendships as well as eating away at the liver and brain.

So why should cannabis be illegal while alcohol remains perfectly legal and available everywhere from the corner shop to the petrol station?

Aren't there some double standards going on here?

What about tobacco? A highly addictive and toxic substance that kills thousands of people every year, coupled with diminishing one's lifespan considerably by about 15 years, makes your breath smell and your house/car/clothes stink ... but legal.

I just can't make it out. Who would you rather sit next to at the Dartford Festival - a bunch of drunk and abusive tattooed skinheads drinking can after can of Special Brew or a stoned, chilled and happy group of people passing round a joint and laughing a lot?

To me, the question is an easy one and the answer quite obvious.

The next time you're asking a policeman the time, ask him who he would rather deal with at a situation, someone who's drunk or someone who's stoned.

I keep hearing that the only reason cannabis isn't legal is because it isn't taxed. Well, the answer to that surely is to grow loads of it legally and then tax it along with the booze and fags. Isn't it?

In an ideal world, nobody would take drugs in order to change their mind or mood. The trouble is, we don't live in an ideal world. As long as there are humans, humans will want to consume mind altering drugs.

I am not defending cannabis. All I am asking is what is the difference between cannabis and alcohol?

Why should tobacco be sold over the same counter as a bottle of whisky? Both are addictive and dangerous poisons, so why should they be available legally and freely?

And before you ask, yes. And of course I inhaled - what would be the point otherwise?

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here