“The main reason cannabis is still illegal is public opinion,the politicians want the votes so they listen to the people,but why do the people think cannabis is bad,because the government tell them its bad!Do you see how we are manipulated by the powers that be.do your own research!!”

“The main reason cannabis is still illegal is public opinion,the polotitions want the votes so they listen to the people,but why do the people think cannabis is bad,because the government tell them its bad!Do you see how we are manipulated by the powers that be.do your own research!!”

“I was saddened to hear of the Home Secretary Alan Johnson's decision to remove Professor David Nutt from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on Friday after Nutt argued that ecstasy, cannabis and LSD were less harmful than alcohol.

Nutt's dismissal is upsetting because it is now truly evident that the government is getting rid of advisers simply because they did not like their advice. I am saddened that millions of people are criminalised for choosing to ingest substances what are evidently ¿less harmful¿ than alcohol. My gut instinct is that the main risk of taking these substances is a legal one and the fact that (mainly) young people are putting themselves in danger by having to associate with criminals to obtain their chosen stimulant.

As a father I would not want my son exposed to LSD and to a lesser degree ecstasy, but the thought of having him walking around Torquay bars/pubs/clubs at closing time really is truly scary.

A YOUGOV poll supports the reduction of penalties for possession of cannabis it is unfortunate that the Labour party and some tabloid newspapers do not. I realise that standing up to The Sun and their ilk may, in the short term not be a vote winner. The unscientific political row over cannabis classification has however become a platform of being seen to be tougher on crime than other political parties; people¿s lives are suffering as a result. I worked for the prison service during the late 1990¿s and was saddened to see many cannabis users/dealers serving time and being turned into something they patently were not-criminals.

The prohibition of cannabis has led to the situation where harder strains are the only types available, due to ¿improved¿ restrictive practices on the drug¿s importation during the past twenty years. Cannabis users have no choice but to use the domestically produced harder strains because that is all that they can find.

During my time living and working in Switzerland I saw first hand how many cantons had decriminalised the use of cannabis and reduced the prison populations, halting the criminalisation of its otherwise law abiding citizens and guess what, Switzerland is not a drug addled crime infected state! For the record I do not ingest any illegal drugs but that is my lifestyle choice. These MPs from the Labour party (and many other MPs of all parties) have all claimed a few years ago in a mildly bizarre ¿fessing up¿ period to have possessed and ingested cannabis:

Andy Burnham, Hazel Blears, Vernon Coaker, Tony McNulty, James Purnell, John Denham, Harriet Harman, Alistair Darling, Ruth Kelly.

I am sure they are fine upstanding people who all avoided being led onto harder drugs so let's educate our young people and let¿s not lie to them. If we falsely represent cannabis why on earth should they listen to us when it comes to substances that will really cause harm?”

“Another small point how did the photos get taken, I thought this was a surprise raid, obviously a photographer will always be present at a sudden raid????

Cinderella you did the best thing...there is nothing worse than a bully with drink in him hitting a lady.”

“I agree with what is being said here, making something illegal automatically makes it more attractive. That is the nature of the human race. If recrational drugs were legal and controlled dealers would be unemployed and crime would be less.
Alcohol is the problem, I was never scared of my ex after he had smoked a joint but I was after he had downed a few pints. That is why he is my ex, I got brave one day!”

“Do you really think this makes the bay safer? They have been busting dealers for decades and nothing has changed. And, how is recreational drug use causing a problem? The police dont get called to domestic violence caused by cocaine or cannabis use; and as with alcohol the vast majority of recreational users are otherwise law obiding citizens.

My point was that a good percentage of the substances taken in these raids where drugs that really should be legal anyway. I agree that hard drug abuse is a problem but would you suggest alcohol was made illegal to tackle the problems there? Prohibition makes things worse.”

“I understand what you say Biffo but that is really a discussion or view on political decisions in the country rather than congratulating local police for working to make the bay safer.”

“lawabider, paignton....you miss the point.

The Government employ and pay experts, then they turn on them, what expertise does the Home Secretary have....none...he is an ex-postman. He is the one member of Government who has not had a go at the postmen, why because he is sponsored by them, he was their ex-union leader.

Alcohol is far more dangerous.

I think SamSam understands that other items were found.”

“If chris and sam bother to read the stories it was not just cannabis seized. They may also realise the damage illegal drugs have on users (including heavy cannabis users) and their families and communities. If you haven't got anything intelligent to offer then please offer nothing at all. I think that the police will have had a significant effect with these raids and give the drug dealers of brixham something to fear.”

“What a waste of police time and our money. "No let up" is what they have been saying for decades and will continue to say for ever. There is "no let up" in peoples choice to use drugs; as they do alcohol; no difference at all except where you get it; and that alcohol causes mass destruction every weekend.

As Sam says; if the governmenrt listened to the experts they would realise that prohibition creates the problem. To be consistent alcohol should be a class A drug, and thats not going to happen any time soon is it.”