I am a bit illiterate drug wise - I have used dope in the past to no great effect or interest. Yes, I did inhale!

I have wondered though whether the negative effects of dope are more to do with the high levels of THC in modern "artificial" weed ? Would naturally grown weed be safer with a lower THC and less likely negative side effects ?

If that was the case would allowing commercial sale of low THC weed be a more effective way of controlling it ? You could set the levels of THC and ensure purity. You could make it available only at pharmacies (I am not paid by the Guild!). Commercial interests would be more vigorous and aggressive in pursuing any unathorised competition (this is Mullboro country...) . You could tax it and use the money to combat more lethal drugs like speed, coke, heroin etc. You could use funds raised for improving mental health care and education.

I do not condone the use of pot. However I would rather see a much friendlier society, so the pressure is not so great to "escape" for a little while. Also if we use a big stick on this drug, let's use it on the legal drugs as well, wine, beer, whisky and tobacco.

Dr Moodie.
It would nice to believe that the Victorian Government would not make the same "hash" of changes to drug laws as they did by decriminalising prostitution in Victoria. There started the rot which would subsequently spread throughout other states of Australia,and lead to the sordid rot now classified as the "Sex industry".
In the case of brothels, those changes would lead to a fourfold increase in the existence of illegal brothels, and a wink and a nod to every enterprise associated with it.
Now , as you would know, that outrageous situation was a direct response to your Governments inability to control the corruption and vice of their own police force. You tell me that your article is not a testing of the waters for the legalising of drug runners and drug barons. Something similar to your legitimising of "Pimps"; a low life class who are now , thanks to your progressive laws, legitimate business men.

Cannabis should be legalized , taxed, controlled and offered only to those who have reached a minimum age - similar to tobacco and alcohol. As others above have stated this will allow the provision of a consistent or measured (and taxed) strength of the drug.

Where there may be a legitimate concern about THC inducing mental illness in the not fully developed brains of our younger population then the minimum age of consumption should be raised to a safe level as determined by independent studies

Taxes collected should flow only to the states health system to fund our medical system.

Our drug problem is not simply cannabis use,it is also alcohol, cigarettes, pharmaceutical drugs, esctasty, etc.
Stats can be used to prove or disprove anything. What good is it that cannabis use is declining if the cannabis is 'heavier duty' than it was 30 years ago, or other drugs are being preferred.
All things considered is drug use increasing? Yes.

Government throwing money at the problem is not the solution because we are the problem, and until we accept that little will change. We create youths who resort to drugs for various reasons (and not all come from down and out families).
Why wouldn't our kids look for an alternative to avoid feeling anxious, guilt ridden, lost, alone, lonely, isolated, bored, unwanted. Parents, schools,media, music, literature all contribute to this constant message of doom and gloom and offer no promise of a hopeful future. I'm surprised and thankful so many of our kids are so resilient. Think on it.

What should we do about cannabis use mr Moodie? Well, gee, I thought that was simple.

The first thing we must do is to objectively deturmin if cannabis use in our community is harmful or not. Since contemporary research appears to confirm that cannabis use is causing serious problems in OUR community, then we as a community must unite to combat it.

That means showing zero tolerance to any "youth culture" media that actively promotes illegal drug use to our youngest generation. Any reference to illegal drug abuse as "cool" or "hip" should be banned outright. Today's movies and youth orientated media constantly promote drug abuse to our young. Even popular disk jockey's make casual references to drug abuse, while nobody knows whether today’s pop stars are musicians on drugs, or drug addicts trying to be musicians.

The endorsement of illegal drug abuse is so notable in the pop music industry, that one suspects that the pop stars are getting kickbacks from the narcotrafficantes to promote their wares to kids. They will continue to be the advertising arm of the illegal drug industry until we as a community stop it. The “youth culture” industry is only concerned with making mega bucks by exploiting teenagers so they will come to heel if we insist upon higher standards.

Anybody who is silly enough to claim that the media has no effect upon youth behaviour should stop and listen very hard. They will hear the advertising executives of Saatchi and Saatchi, Mojo and RJ Reynolds laughing their heads off.