Duodecims theme issue presents a purely medical view of the narcotics situation. This has never been done before, said Pekka Heinala, one of those responsible for the special issue. He is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist working for the Alchohol Research Authority. He asserts it is high time for self criticism in the area of abuse treatment.

Matti O. Huttunen points out the double morality surrounding cannabis in his article. A critical examination of the available research shows that the negative effects of cannabis use have been greatly exaggerated.

If policy was determined purely according to health risks, it would perhaps be tobacco and alcohol that were illegal, it was said at the press conference yesterday.

The doctors are not encouraging cannabis use, but are presenting a more nuanced picture. It was also said yesterday that cannabis has possible therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer and HIV - it can possibly reduce pain and feelings of nausea.

Heinala said further that there is probably no connection between cannabis use and schizophrenia, which has been the subject of research by Sweden and other countries. On the other hand cannabis can lead to psychotic reactions in sensitive persons and seems to give symptoms earlier to those who would develop schizophrenia anyway.