Cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ that exposes users to other people who are involved in ‘harder substances’ and should not be legalised, an ex-drug addict has told The Christian Institute. Luke Wardle, who began selling drugs at the age of 15, went on to deal in amphetamines and developed a cocaine habit by the age of 19. He told the Institute how smoking cannabis caused him to climb up the ladder of drugs. He described how his various addictions led to feelings of paranoia, anxiety and depression. Speaking of other addicts he knew, he explained how cannabis had left them in a ‘complete mess’ with some even developing serious mental health problems including schizophrenia. Luke said he was astonished that instead of prison he only faced a £480 fine for importing a large amount of cannabis from Amsterdam. In an interview, he told Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, his story and why he’s against the liberalisation of cannabis.