'It is an equity issue. If people demand a particular lifestyle choice then they cannot expect non-users to subsidise that choice'

That may be a bit too simplistic. For example, I don't drive (in fact I won't go near a car, but thats a personal thing), but my taxes still pay for road upkeep, health care for car accidents etc. I have no problem with this, because I believe people have the right to make the choice to take certain risks in life, and we as a society should be there to look out for each other financially should anything go wrong.

This allows so much more personal freedom, and everyone benefits. To suggest because someone takes a 'risk' from smoking marijuana that they're suddenly on their own is pretty unfair. Everyone takes risks. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone needs help at some point.

On the subject of addicts (which as I've already said for marijuana, is pretty rare), the fact that they are criminalised is appauling. Addicts are victims and should not be punished. An addiction, be it to marijuana, nicotine (guilty), alcohol (was once guilty), speed, fast food, television, caffeine (guilty again), whatever - is a disease.

And finally, remember, never confuse use with abuse. Abuse of a drug - bad. Use of a drug - quite often very positive. The abusers give the users a bad name.

I first smoked cannabis in Turkey in 1967, last smoked it in Hollywood in 1978, smoked regularly from 1968-70, heavily (probably psychologically dependent) 1970-72, not much thereafter. I've never been interested in alcohol or tobacco, got drunk for the first time due to particular circumstances on my 25th birthday, got stoned for the first time a few weeks later.

I had some very positive experiences from cannabis, but out-grew it, and I believe I've made a positive contribution to society at many levels. I'm happy that I first used cannabis when I was fairly established and experienced in life, I think regular use from teenages would really get in the way of life experience and education. I have a drug-free (legal or otherwise) household, and while I haven't heavied my kids, at 17-22 they're not interested in alcohol or cigarettes and to the best of my knowledge don't use drugs. At some stage, they might want to explore them, so be it.

I've always been very trusting. Prior to using cannabis I accepted the view of life presented by my (UK) society, tried to be "good" but was always getting into trouble. I discovered when I first got stoned that there were thousands of ways of viewing the world, and that the one I had been shown was wrong - the "elders" of society were either ignorant or dishonest. This was a very powerful experience which began a spiritual awakening, which I might not have come to without the drug. (In passing, I later found LSD a source of wisdom and insight. However, the insight became memories after a few weeks rather than part of life.) Eventually I found a deep spiritual path (the practice taught by the Buddha), to which intoxication is an impediment. (mf)

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I was near suicide once before using drugs, once while using. In each case, I was pulled back from the brink by an external intervention. I don't think that drug use was a factor.

I think that alcohol and tobacco are clearly more dangerous than cannabis, and that whether or not cannabis is controlled, its use should not be seen as a serious criminal offence.

The present day health costs of tobacco are in fact exceeded by tobacco taxes, however as Perseus points out you need to condsider the future cost - in which case they probably aren't enough because health costs are increasing faster than interest rates. When you look beyond health costs the balance gets even worse. Smoking is also responsible for sick days, passive smoking, litter, fires, lost productivity due to early death, poor birth outcomes such as SIDS, prematurity, low birth weight etc. Some analyses put these other costs at almost double the health costs.

I dont have recent figures, but according to government numbers for 1998, legal drug taxes raised $7.3 billion, while they cost the taxpayer about $17 billion http://www.adca.org.au/publications/Drug%20Policy%202000/84_taxation_and_pricing.htm

This cost does not even account for all the possible costs so the true cost would be even higher.

When you consider that marijuana is, by any reasonable analysis, more harmful than tobacco, and you look at the costs of legal drugs, you should see that legalisation is in fact an extremely expensive option.

The last time I smoked pot was in 1997, while I recovered from a miscarriage. The cannabis got me through a lonely and discouraged Christmas and New Year.

Haven't smoked since - but would certainly do so again. If used judiciously, I do not understand why it is still criminalised. BTW I do not smoke tobacco and I drink in moderation. However to deal with a major crisis like I mentioned above, pot really helped.

It would appear that those who would ban it don't have any understanding of its effects. I agree pot is now very strong. One bong and you're indoors for the evening, however home grown is not so 'deadly' and should be permitted.

Of course as others have stated; there is a lot of money to be gained by keeping it as a criminal offence. Interesting.

The criminal aspect is completely bizarre, it should be duty free by now.