To some it's the classic "gateway drug," to others it is a harmless way to relax, or provide relief from pain. Some fear it is dangerous and addictive, while others feel it should be decriminalized. Whatever the viewpoint, cannabis incites debate at every level, and the effect it has on every corner[...]

Known as Signor Farfalla--Mr. Butterfly--to his neighbors in the southern Italian town where he lives, an inconspicuous gentleman who spends his days painting, idling at local cafes, and getting together with his friend, the town priest, over a glass of brandy, discovers that his mysterious past is [...]

Whatever the viewpoint and by whatever nickname it is known, the drug cannabis always incites debate. Martin Booth traces the history of the plant and its derivatives back to the Neolithic period. He paints a colourful picture of medical advances, subterfuge, religious enlightenment, smuggling and g[...]

The locals in the Italian village where he lives call him Signor Farfalla - Mr Butterfly. He is a discreet gentleman who spends his time studying rare butterflies. But Farfalla's real profession is deadly. He considers himself an artisan, not for the butterflies he paints but for the guns he creates[...]