Readers' letters - May 24

Re: Use of medicinal cannabis (WP Letters, May 18). There is plenty of evidence that a few drops of cannabis oil can act as a great pain relief. I have a good friend who is suffering from advanced cancer. He has tried all of the medicines subscribed from the GP and the only relief he can get from excruciating pain is a few drops of cannabis. In the last week, the Royal College of Nursing has voted overwhelmingly for the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal reasons. Forty countries, including Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and half of the USA, (not renowned for its liberal thinking) have legalised cannabis in some form. The UK is the world’s largest producer and exporter of legalised cannabis and yet it cannot be used at home.I’m afraid that Ms Richardson has neither an understanding of the facts nor compassion for the poor souls whose only relief from pain is a small amount of cannabis. Does she honestly think that a person who requires medicinal cannabis as a pain relief for cancer is going to go out and commit violent crimes or acts of terrorism? I’m afraid her inference that the medicinal use of cannabis is somehow related to horrific acts such as the Manchester bombing does her no credit.Painkillers such as morphine and fentanyl are both legal, despite being from the same family as heroin, so cannabis should be treated no differently. John Scholeyvia emailDisabled people being left behindJust when those of us living with disabilities think rail accessibility can’t get any worse, along comes Govia Thameslink Railway. Instructing staff not to help passengers with disabilities board trains beggars belief. As a frequent rail traveller of 72 years, who had Polio and now lives with Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), I, and members of The British Polio Fellowship, are well aware of the dire network shortcomings when it comes to accessibility, but even my station master grandfather will be turning in his grave at this appalling news.Many of us have long suspected companies only pay lip service to our needs. To confirm it so publicly is a slap in the face. The Department for Transport (DfT) claims it is “determined that disabled people have the same access to public transport as non-disabled people”, but how can that be, with staff instructed to leave us high and dry on the platform?A lack of step-free access, gaps between train and platform and now we are to be left behind if helping us makes the train late – it’s a wonder any of us travel at all. The DfT should remind operators of their responsibilities (and the law) or face being stripped of their franchises. Anyone who needs The British Polio Fellowship’s help can visit www.britishpolio.org.uk or call 0800 043 1935.David MitchellNational ChairmanThe British Polio FellowshipThis is just a political ruseThe issue of the Irish border being a stumbling block in Brexit negotiations is nothing more than a political ruse, caused by both Brussels and Dublin, who are doing their utmost to keep the UK in a customs union and stirred on by splits within the Cabinet and a dithering PM.Switzerland and Norway are not in the EU customs union and yet both goods and people cross smoothly across their borders every day. The same applies around the world such as the border between Canada and the USA.Because of new technology and intelligence, there is little or no need for full checks and, according to the World Bank, following a recent review of 19 countries, on average, only two per cent of goods are checked at borders.Brussels, along with Dublin, are using the Irish border as a pretext to keeping us shackled to the EU and customs union and are relying on our weakened Government, under pressure from Remainers in both Houses, big business, the CBI and other voices with vested interests.It is high time that both the Government got on with the Brexit that 17.4 million voted for, and to quote Mrs May, “Brexit means Brexit”. Philip Griffiths Broadcaster and commentatorPalm oil It’s hard to buy anything these days without palm oil –but it comes with a high cost to wildlife. Supermarket Iceland has made a positive move in banning it from its own products.Will more follow? Visit www.greenpeace.org.uk for information.Jane via email