ONCE again the cannabis debate rears its head, and once again the same old rhetoric is trotted out in defence of prohibition and the fear culture (Letters, April 14).

I would urge correspondents to do a little research before wading in with what amounts to repetition of propaganda.

Perhaps Aled Jones would like to furnish us with sources backing up his wild claim that young male users are five times more likely to be violent.

I wonder how many people reading this who actually know a cannabis user would agree with that statement?

It would also be interesting to see the statistical evidence behind R Waite's picture of most criminals using cannabis as the first stop on the express train to committing all nature of crimes in the name of heroin.

And as for cannabis causing learning disabilities, given that they are mostly congenital, just how much do you have to smoke before you become autistic or develop Tourette's Syndrome? I'm waiting for the BMA report on that one.

This is such a murky debate with dubious statements issued from both the for and against parties that the best thing anyone can do if they want to take part is arm themselves with some facts.

Get to know some current or ex-cannabis users, spend enough time with them to assess their violent or otherwise disposition.

There is an incredible amount of information available on the internet and in books presented from both the pro- and the con- perspective.

Steve Clements is accused of pushing the use of a substance, when in fact all he is pushing is the right to choose.

He is not saying it must be used, he is just asking that the law be changed so that it could be used should it be desired.

Jason Rayner,

Wenlock Terrace,

York.

Updated: 10:57 Wednesday, April 20, 2005