Why cannabis is far from harmless

PAT LEAHY’S letter (‘Only criminals gain from drugs ban,’ Irish Examiner, February 13) would appear to have been inspired more by personal opinion than medical and scientific facts.

Frequent use of cannabis has been linked to high rates of anxiety and depression in cross-sectional surveys.

Cannabis smokers have a heightened risk of lung infection. Long-term use increases the risk of chronic coughing, bronchitis and emphysema, together with cancer of the head, neck and lungs. For those reasons alone, like smoking, it should be discouraged.