Personal use of cannabis in Germany has been decriminalised, but this new policy does not permit commercial sales (Report, February 24).
However, while companies like Curaleaf International eye the opportunities this will bring, the UK looks increasingly out of step with many of its western counterparts as it continues to support prohibition. This in effect subcontracts the supply and distribution of cannabis to the illicit market, which provides no quality control or tax revenue (“Curaleaf plots Europe listing as Berlin relaxes cannabis law”, Report, April 6).
The commercial market for cannabis in Germany could yield tax revenue of €4.7bn annually. Given the state of the UK economy, sticking with the failed policy of prohibition doesn’t make financial, never mind scientific sense.
Unfortunately, neither the Conservatives nor the Labour party are prepared to reform cannabis policy, a costly mistake in so many ways.
Ian Hamilton
Associate Professor in Addiction, University of York,
York, North Yorkshire, UK
