One of my false accusers is now a fully certified paranoid schizophrenic thanks to misuse of cannabis from an early age. And a sweeter, nicer guy you could not hope to meet.

I never even had one puff from one spliff because I wondered what the drugs might eventually do, so whilst most of my friends were smoking away, I was writing anti drug songs like Round Round and Grass Is Groovy.

Not condemning anyone but it wasn't right for me.

And it's interesting how many of my false accusers have histories of serious drugs and alcohol abuse.

I found it very interesting in the way that the politicians owning up to smoking odd things, seemed to be saying "No , no, I won`t have it! I was much naughtier than you at college!" to each other, wearing the admission like a school scarf.

"One of my false accusers is now a fully certified paranoid schizophrenic thanks to misuse of cannabis."

There are studies involving people with mental health issues and drug taking but to date is has not been shown that cannabis causes mental heath issues.

On topic... I love the whole "One or two puffs at Uni".

Why is it understandable that students should try drugs but a heinous offence if anyone else does?

As I understand it, the biggest problem with cannibis and schizophrenia is the lack of knowing the strengths due to it`s illegality.(added opium apparently being a major problem)
I tried it in my youth as did many (yahey!, I claim my seat in the Commons!), but I found it caused lethargy and couldn`t stand it.

I find the whole 'is this politician fit for office cos they smoked a few spliffs 30 years ago?' debate slightly sickening. The hyprocracy staggers me.

I wonder how many of the journalists currently frothing at the mouth over this have taken illegal substances in the past (and perhaps continue to do so on a regular basis...). It's a little reminicsent of the pathetic witch-hunt that followed KateMoss being photographed having a toot.

I think the British media needs to grow up a bit.

Stuck in a Paris hotel, I've been watching the Sky News team wheel on pundit after pundit, desperately trying to provoke some strong condemnation of Jacqui Smith for her admission, but failing miserably. Keith Halliwell, the ex 'drugs czar' was particulaly pathetic in his attempts to maul her. She should be appluauded for her honesty. Unlike Eton Boy Cameron... One thing you definitely WILL NOT SEE is any Tory turning out to condemn her. I wonder why...?

The ONLY thing that matters here is what the voting public think and I think it's fair to say that the voting public doesn't really give a shit. About cannabis use at least...

One does not know how they would react to news of much harder drug use by our politicians.

My own view is the same as Cameron's. It doesn't really matter what drugs a politician took as a kid. It's what they're doing NOW that counts.

However, I do think this is a master stroke by GB and his team. By giving the green light for his Ministers to 'out' themselves, this will definitely up the ante in terms of Cameron's own university experiences...

Watch the pressure on him increase over the next few days...

As it has been said in past blogs and in particular the press attitude to cases of the nature you had to endure.

None of your accusers were ever reported as to having these problems because it does not make a good story. It was only in that documentary they did on Channel 4 of you, that the three so-called accusers they interviewed had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

The case of the taxi-driver who got falsely accused by a woman was a disgrace, especially as the press couldn't name and shame them.

Too many injustices in the world.

As for the politicians, I wonder if Tony Blair/George Bush had smoked cannabis before coming up with the idea of bombing Iraq.

I do hope that the appeal works JK, as it may well start encouraging people who have also been the subject of miscarriage of justice, to do the same.

I wonder how the Sun would report it, when you are hopefully cleared of the charges.

Cannabis studies have shown that it MAY be a contributory factor in people that are predisposed to mental health problems. It does not cause problems on it's own. The drug is probably a lot less harmful than alcohol and is a naturally grown plant. Tailored forms, such as skunk are a different prospect with varying degrees of effect - they still don't cause mental health problems though.