I cannot understand why the Government wants to retain a law that allows for imprisoning a cannabis user - be it for social or medicinal use.

The Netherlands has long tolerated personal possession and allowed cannabis coffee shops. Cannabis is now available as a prescription drug at pharmacies.

Spain no longer arrests recreational drug users and Portugal and Luxembourg have decriminalised cannabis use. Belgium allows the medical use of marijuana and is considering permitting citizens to grow small amounts of cannabis.

Local authorities in France and Germany are considering whether or not to arrest cannabis users. The Swiss senate has approved legislation legalising personal use of cannabis.

The Australian and New Zealand governments are considering approving the medical use of cannabis.

Canada provides cannabis through its health-care programme and has proposed decriminalising cannabis cultivation and consumption.

Police in Toronto merely confiscate cannabis from users. In the US, an Alaskan appellate court has affirmed the constitutional right of citizens to grow and consume cannabis at home.

But in the UK, after reclassification on January 29, cannabis will still be illegal, preventing the sick and dying from cultivating and using the only medicine that works for many of them.

Why should someone be classed as a criminal simply for growing and consuming a plant when they are posing no threat to anyone?

-Chris Philbin, Witham, Essex