CANNABIS could be available on the NHS to help people with MS and those recovering from painful operations. Doctors may be able to prescribe cannabis as a pain-relief treatment within two years after the Government announced a research project into the medical use of the drug.

Patients would not be given cannabis to smoke in cigarette form - known as joints - but would be offered a pill or spray which would not get them 'high'.

Critics fear such a move might pave the way for the legalisation of cannabis, or soften public opinion towards the drug. We asked some of our readers' panel for their views - but please write and tell us what you think.

Lynn Jeffries, 45, an advisor on disability for York Health Services NHS Trust and chairman of the York Coalition of Disabled People:

"There are a lot of myths around cannabis, such as it leads on to harder drugs. If people could get it through the health system it would cut down that risk as they wouldn't have to go to a drug dealer to get it.

"The evidence is that for people with MS and other conditions, cannabis brings about a certain amount of pain relief. With MS, it relieves spasticity in the limbs. I think it's a positive move."

Sarah Drew, 27, an accessories designer from York:

"Definitely. I can't see why it's taken so long. I think cannabis should be legalised, from the point of view of cutting down on crime. A lot of police officers support this view.

"The younger generation is more accepting of recreational drugs, the older generation is still scared by the idea of it. If the medical establishment used cannabis, it would make it less scary and more acceptable."

June Tranmer, 47, an acupuncturist who runs the Healing Clinic in York:

"Yes - as long as it is not the smoking variety. The non-addictive part of cannabis has been used in Chinese medicine for many years.

"I have mixed feelings about softening the drugs laws. There are signs that smoking cannabis can lead to throat cancer."

An angry man writes...

AM I right in thinking that Impressions is "just" for women? I was amazed to see your new weekly feature "The thing is..." had a panel of 12 women - all lined up, all pictured, all regularly taking part in your new column.

They will be answering questions such as "Does York need more shops?" to "Who should pick up the bill for care in old age"?

You say: "We've tried to make the panel as representative as possible featuring women of different ages, and backgrounds." Who are you kidding?

A decade or so ago we heard such a lot about "sexism" where men were derided for ignoring women's views. Now it seems that men are being victimised against and women have taken over.

Still I suppose it fits - as most marriages/partnerships are ruled by the female sex.

Good luck to your new biased weekly feature. I certainly won't be reading it.

Bryan R Lawson,

Burton Fields Road, Stamford Bridge.

Impressions editor Maxine Gordon replies: Impressions is aimed at the modern woman, but we hope our male readers enjoy it too. We've decided to launch the readers panel to try to encourage more women to write to the paper with their opinions. But we welcome the views of our male readers as well. So please, write or email us and tell us what you think about Mr Lawson's letter and about our topic of the week.

Updated: 11:39 Tuesday, February 19, 2002