Alternattiva Demokratika has declared that “the war on drugs is a failure” (The Times, February 13) and is therefore advocating the legalisation of cannabis.

One of the arguments made by those in favour of legalising this drug is that cannabis is safer than alcohol or cigarettes but with side effects such as memory loss, the body’s inability to coordinate properly, anxiety attacks, confusion and the risk of developing lung cancer or nerve damage. Isn’t this one drug we can do without?

Arguably, legalising cannabis will create a new type of addict who will consequently experiment with harder drugs. Who won’t say that they will then expect the decriminalisation of other drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine?

Just because a substantial number of people are doing something doesn’t make that something right, nor should it bring about a sudden new tolerance.

Has AD given due consideration to the side effects that this drug invariably causes?

Or is this ‘campaign’ no more than a faint attempt to muster some votes at the expense of the health of future victims?