But for days afterwards, ancient Soviet matrons living in the block went around making peace signs and blowing kisses. Not that it would have done the old girls much harm. Many medics would say that my drug, alcohol, is more dangerous than cannabis. Yet we are behind many other countries in our attitudes. Decriminalisation of cannabis is under way in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and France.
Prosecutions are rare in Austria, Germany and Denmark.
Ireland issues only fines. Limited decriminalisation has been in place in the Netherlands for years. Perhaps we should return to Victorian values. Cannabis reached Britain in the 1840s and was widely prescribed as a medicine. The drug was legal in Britain and the US until the 1920s.