Are German Courts Right to Rule against Hashish?

I disagree with the high court of Germany ruling cannabis possession illegal. Many more die from alcohol, yet it is regulated via taxation. This would be the best way to handle safer, more passive behavior such as cannabis smoking -- because everyone agrees it will always be in demand -- plus look how close you are to Holland!?
-- Johnny Meyer

I live in the UK. I do not understand why cannabis is illegal in most of the countries of the world while alcohol and tobacco are legal. If cannabis use can lead to other drugs why is the same not true of alcohol and tobacco? The hospitals have to deal with a large number of people harmed by tobacco and alcohol. Crimes of violence are strongly associated with alcohol. This situation only makes sense to me if there is some hidden agenda behind cannabis prohibition. If cannabis is so dangerous that it must be controlled then anything that is available legally must be safe? I do not believe that. The way to protect individuals is through education. Telling people lies about cannabis is counter productive. Telling people that cannabis can have adverse consequences, and telling people that tobacco kills 1 in every 2 smokers and that alcohol has a detrimental effect on every system of the human body and can lead to death if used to excess -- but allowing adults to decide for themselves what they do, is much more sensible. Cannabis prohibition is a political, not a health issue. Keeping cannabis illegal helps only the criminals who would sell it and allows politicians to seem to be tough on something that causes very little harm to the majority. If a politician tried again to close down the alcohol industry they would have a political battle on their hands. Those who want to consume cannabis can get it anyway. -- Ross Nockles