DAVID Wilson (LET, January 19) has refused to pay a £1,000 fine for having cannabis worth £2 in his pocket. William Straw was caught selling the same drug, yet he escaped with a caution.
This iniquity demonstrates the haphazardous way in which the prohibition of cannabis is enforced.
The fact that William is the son of Jack Straw - Mr Wilson's parliamentary representative and the Home Secretary responsible for administering the prohibition - adds insult to injury.
Our government refuses to countenance any change in the law, yet more British teenagers - like William Straw - have smoked pot than anywhere else in Europe.
It was felt - rightly - that to prosecute Master Straw would not be in the public interest. Whose interests are served by imposing such a disproportionate fine upon David Wilson? Certainly not those of his wife and daughter.
Now, he has refused to pay and is ready to go to prison, adding more expense to an already costly and pointless prosecution.
I applaud him for resisting this injustice.
RUSSELL CRONIN, Peacock Street, London SE1.
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