FROM as far back as I care to remember, my parents had only one piece of advice when it came to drugs: no.
I’ve passed this message to my children and any wise parent would do likewise.
However, there are those, Nick Clegg among them, who back calls to legalise cannabis.
They are inspired by the recent liberalisation of rules in California, Colorado and soon, Canada.
They argue the move will ease pressure on prisons and net £1 billion a year in taxes for the Treasury.
Neither argument persuades me.
On the first point, our prisons are already struggling under a tsunami of so-called ‘legal highs’ and cannabis would simply become another one.
And, far from sending fewer people to jail, new regulations on pricing, potency and age restrictions would mean those breaking them still risking prison.
And, so far as increasing the tax-take, the residents of Colorado are finding they’re spending more money combating cannabis-related crime since the rules were eased.
In addition, traffic deaths, hospital admissions and school suspensions are all up, with illegal distribution booming by 99 per cent, leaving the police with a legal dilemma.
Colorado District Attorney Mitchell Morrissey was attempting to dissuade California from choosing this path, but in vain.
It should also be noted that US states can repeal bad law far more easily than we can in the UK.
I fear such a liberalisation here would be almost irreversible if passed.
And, let’s not forget, we have a duty to protect our citizens, if necessary from themselves.
While I appreciate that medical marijuana can ease symptoms in some debilitating conditions, that’s not a reason to make it available to everyone.
Mr Clegg says a “tide of popular opinion” is sweeping away the old laws – not if I can help it.