The Argus (January 14) reported a cannabis grower getting four months, mainly because his activities constituted a danger to the public.

How can this be? Surely growing a few plants for one's own use must be one of the most victimless crimes that exists?

No terrorists or criminals and no crimes are committed to fund it. Draconian sentences for drugs have never worked and never will.

The first known anti-drug laws (including alcohol) were introduced by the Muslims during the Crusades, a millennium ago, and very severe penalties are still in force today. Where does most of the world drug supply come from, apart from cocaine? Muslim countries.

Since the Seventies, we have had crackdowns, "drug tzars", hard sentences, programmes and so on, none of which has made any difference.

In fact, things are now far worse, with more violence and crimes committed because to the illegality of it.

Cannabis today is half the price it was in the Seventies and that is not taking inflation into account. Most other drugs are the same.

Harsher sentences just up the ante and do nothing to solve anything. They never have done. Decriminalisation, done sensibly, is the only possible way to bring some control over the drug scene.

There is no other sensible alternative. All been tried and all have failed. Take drugs out of the hands of criminals.

I'm 60 years of age, have used cannabis for more than 40 years and have been on the drug scene since it started so I know what I am talking about. I'm long term.

My advice to the jailed man is, next time, commit a burglary and buy some cannabis.

You are far less likely to be jailed and you would have funded a few terrorists on your way.

-John Britton, Hatherleigh Close, Bognor Regis