As innocent passers by are stabbed to death by 13 and 14 year olds, we continue to consider the killers innocent children.

As cannabis looks more and more lethal mentally, nobody asks why so many (100% in my case) false accusers were addicted to it and, frequently, alcohol and are yet believed as credible witnesses.

Alice in Wonderland, anyone?

Hi JK, surprised that you haven't commented on the "prison phone" story?

For those "not In The Know" - Apparently prison outgoing calls were always preceded with a message telling the recipient that the call was coming from a prison. A prisoner complained that it voilated his human rights and the Courts agreed. The practise must stop now.

I do have serious views on cannabis and I allways have done.

Alcohol is legal and the strength of the drug is displayed on the product.

Cannabis causes psychosis and lethargy and is completely unregulated. I get fed up with people saying "it is a soft drug" and not addictive.

Everything is addictive to an addictive personality.

I had several calls from a cat C prison and none were preceded with a warning of their origin, but this was back in the 1990s, so maybe that came in afterwards, or perhaps it's only the higher security prisons that do it.

Alcohol is legal so it must be alright? Also, your argument lends to the theory that cannabis should be legalised too. If it is regulated then it can be taken with all of the facts listed on the packet.

Cannabis does not CAUSE psychosis and it is not mentally lethal. If you are predisposed to psychosis anything can bring it on.

Your arguments are contradictory. If everything is addictive to addictive personalities then ban everything!!

It's a drug of calm, unlike alcohol. It is reactionary and disproportionate to indicate otherwise. Evil will prosper regardless of intoxicants.

My main point Godiver, with all due respect, is there is no guarantee what is actually in any unregulated subtance, this could even include homebrew.

But yes Godiver, my meanderings caused exactly the reactions required for the debate from your good self and hopefully the silent boarders.

I do agree evil will prosper anyway, and I have no problem with people that choose cannabis, it`s their choice the same as tobacco is mine, what I`m saying is, I have a clue as to whats in my poison, if I bought it on a street corner, the next thing I know I could be picking flowers from the dogs back and the next thing maybe not.

This message did not exist in many prisons (I think the case was exclusively in Scotland) and I never had problems with it but when I started in Belmarsh in 2001 they were still ironing out phone access problems.

On the news 5 minutes ago, two 13 year olds charged with the murder of the 16 year old.

But surely aren't they below the age of consent? How can they know murder is wrong?

What kind of world are we living in when they cannot decide they want sex but they can decide to kill?

I would agree. I want it legalised so that you don't have to associate with the criminal fraternity in order to purchase this plant.

There are many drugs that are harmful and dangerous, i just don't think cannabis is one of them.

Skunk is merely the tenants super of cannabis and with the right information on a packet people would be well aware of this.

The fact that it is not even legal for medicinal purposes is just cruel and unusual. You can't use that plant to dull your pain.. just because....

All those false accusers stoned on wrote:
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article1560551.ece
An interesting article - schizophrenics are more likely to smoke cannabis (or self-medicate in other ways), although they don't state it so clearly as that and get confused. Although later in the article they seem to be saying it isn't so but "...it could be ...and if it is then ...BLAH BLAH BLAH HORROR HORROR HORROR ...but it probably isn't".

Unfortunately they're also repeating the flawed idea that cannabis is "20 to 30 times more powerful than 30 years ago". Can't these newspapers employ someone with a basic grasp of statistics?

It is contemptible that newspapers will (again) spread half-informed misinformation for easy headlines.

Good to see the Times isn't just a tabloid in size and shape.