Letter: Purchasing pot over the counter

Sir: Jerome Burne's article ('The law is a dope', 10 January) does not discuss the activities that would be likely to occupy the talents of unemployed cannabis dealers, should the (legalised) drug become the province of the big companies.

Presumably they would turn their attentions, if they have not already done so, to various other illegal substances, with the consequence of increased consumption of these alternatives. With legalised cannabis becoming boring, the attractions of the alternatives would doubtless increase.

The benefits of cannabis retaining the excitement of illegality should not be overlooked.

Yours faithfully,

A. W. UTTING

Norwich

11 January