>Cannabis use had been cited as a cause of schizophrenia in young people and I have seen several cases where users have committed violent crimes ... UK alchol consumption is going up against a European trend where its going down.

I think any kind of narcotic can accentuate (not necessarilly cause) psychological problems that already exist, especially when abused. Cannabis can (and is by some) used to stimulate deliberate "brain change" by some people (the late Robert Anton Wilson was one such) - these same people often warn against the "misuse" of any "brain change" drugs.

In conversation with friends and family a few weeks ago we realised that by current medical standards we would probably be classed as "Binge Drinkers" purely based on the wine flowing around the Sunday Lunch table; and yet none of us would class ourselves as addicts. They do say that 1 in 20 people in the UK are unaware that they are alcoholic. They also say that Nicotine is more addictive that Heroin!

It may be a killjoy thing to say but if the socially acceptable drugs are bad for us why not cut them out all together?