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Colorado shops made around million in the first week of legal cannabis sales (Photo: Scanpix)

Copenhagen: Legalise itBut this would not be the case under the Copenhagen Model that Jensen wants to introduce in the capital. But his efforts have been blocked by members of his own party, including PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who has spoken in favour of legalisation before but has since changed her tune.

According to the World Health Organisation, cannabis can impair cognitive development and in some cases exacerbate schizophrenia.

Copenhagen police officer Dan Bjerregaard points out that, however, that it s hypocritical to worry about the health impact of cannabis, given the widespread societal acceptance of alcohol.

Cops support legalisation My experience in Copenhagen s nightlife leads me to believe that alcohol is the drug most responsible for causing damage to people. This should be the most weighted argument in the debate about prohibition, Bjerregaard wrote in an editorial for Berlingske newspaper. The prohibition of cannabis and criminalisation of its users therefore seems a little arbitrary.

Bjerregaard s support of decriminalisation is echoed by fellow police officer Andreas Kj r who, also writing in Berlingske, pointed out the increased penalties for possessing cannabis, which were introduced in 2007, made no difference to Danish consumption.

It s about time that Denmark takes a lead and legalises cannabis in a manner that is controlled by the state. It is not the same as saying that cannabis is healthy, but rather it is a cynical realisation that cannabis has come to stay, Kj r said, adding that it would both improve the quality of the product and bring vulnerable and abusive users closer to the health system.

Activists take the leadNot everyone is waiting for legalisation, however. Khodr Cutter Mehri is the founder of the pro-cannabis association Propaganja and is appearing in court on Friday to face charges of selling cannabis.

Mehri intends to plead guilty and says that he has kept the state informed of his illegal activity from the start.

When I opened my web shop, I informed the tax authorities what it was for, so they ve known all along what I ve been up to, and there s no need to waste five days in court. I m proud that I sold cannabis. There s no need to waste taxpayer money in a long court case when I can admit to everything in less than five minutes, Mehri said.

We really just ought to legalise cannabis. The majority of people want it, and that s the way our democracy should work, he said. We re not talking about legalising heroin or guns. It s a harmless plant.