I AM writing in disgust about TJ Ryder's letter (Quest for a high, October 14). Where on earth did he get his so-called "fact" that regular users of cannabis turn to harder drugs to satisfy their needs for a high?

This is complete and utter rubbish. My partner and I have smoked cannabis for more than ten years now and we have not ended up on harder drugs to satisfy our needs. We both work hard, keep our house clean and tidy, keep ourselves clean and tidy, respect other people's property and so forth.

We do not steal to pay for our cannabis; I am sure most people who smoke it don't steal to pay for it either. I think you will find, Mr Ryder, most people who smoke cannabis merely enjoy having a spliff at the end of a hard day to relax and unwind, just as millions of people have a glass or even a bottle of wine at the end of a hard day.

If all drugs should be banned, then alcohol should be the first, because it is proven to be more harmful and cause more deaths per year than cannabis has and ever will do.

I suggest you do some more research (or maybe even try a spliff) before you start discriminating against us.

K Hornsey, Haxby, York.