Can you handle the truth about Cannabis?

Jon Snow's opening question on Drugs Live: Cannabis on Trial already leaves me feeling uneasy. For no other reason than I worry that such a trial could glorify the use of drugs Yes it is just the start of the show but I have my reasons. I remember watching a similar show on Ecstasy a few years earlier on Channel 4, and by the end of it I was feeling curious, especially after hearing various participants in the trial talking about experiencing a euphoria like no other. Doesn't everyone want to know what that feels like? But I know the reality of illegal drugs. I have written heart-breaking stories on young people losing their lives, I have witnessed families destroyed and I have seen the cycle of crime addicts find themselves unable to escape. It is nothing to be glorified. Mr Snow, however, is quick to put me at ease as he proclaims after taking having a 'puff of the wacky backy', "I felt awful in there, I felt like my soul had left my body." The Channel 4 presenter was one of 20 volunteers in the trial which looks at the effect on the brain of two different forms of cannabis, skunk and hash. Those taking part are given one of the two forms of cannabis or a placebo. Even Royal correspondent Jennie Bond is taking part, boasting, "I smoked a lot of weed as a student," has anyone told The Queen? We are then introduced to the smokers, and the appeal of Cannabis is already wearing thin on me. They look stoned, out of it and can barely string a sentence to explain why they love it. They are talking about how everything is funny and when they get the munchies, they eat things they normally wouldn't. OK, why would I want to eat more when I am permanently on a diet? Meanwhile, throughout this show there is a brain expert giving his tuppences worth called Dr Nutt - and he's talking about people well being oot their nut. You couldn't make it up. Now that's funny. I have to be fair though and give the drug a chance after all it is smoked by 2 million people in the UK alone. What is it's appeal? Now being a music fan, what makes me want to try is apparently your desire to listen to music increases when you are stoned. You have to wonder if musicians - who have openly admitted to drug use - would have created the classics they have if they were not high as a kite. But then how would they remember those genius songs if short term memory loss seems to be a downside of being stoned. The participants of the trial say they felt stupid for being unable to remember things they were told minutes prior. Other aspects of the debate is quickly brought into focus. We meet the growers, the dealers and learn a bit about them. I have little interest though, they are making loads of money while the majority of us are out working legally - that is what I get from their input into the debate. The focus then turns to legalising the drug. Richard Branson argues that the industry needs to be regulated. The argument, however, is made that we have regulated tobacco, alcohol and methadone, and yet those substances kill people. All fair points. The programme is also keen throughout the make it clear there is a difference between hash and skunk, and the two are eventually separated on a scale which shows the harmful effects of drugs. The show was nothing but informative and I know it will get people talking. The thing that just worries me about illegal drug use is when it becomes a dependency, when people need it and can't go without it. Take that on board, the pros and cons, and do you think the UK is ready to legalise Cannabis? Twitter reacts: