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Helen Kiernan Research officer Southampton Institute

Last week in The THES... David Kendall and Michael Randall called for more research into the use and effects of cannabis

In the current climate, where cannabis is illegal, if there are direct links between its use and the use of harder drugs, maybe the reason for this should be investigated.

Is there a physical reason why users of cannabis might desire something stronger or is it the environment in which the drug is normally sold and consumed that is responsible for these links?

The only way to discover if and why there is a link is through research.

If research disconnects cannabis with physical and mental danger, then the government could bring it into its own controlled and monitored (and money-making) market with a clear conscience.