POT NOT ADDICTIVE; IT'S MORE LIKE LIQUOR

A recent letter seemed taken straight from the pages of a Drug Enforcement
Agency propaganda pamphlet and was purely pathetic fiction ("Marijuana's
dangers can't be shrugged off," Dec. 18).

Marijuana is not addictive, period. I don't care what the DEA says. Nor is
it a gateway drug. Heroin and nicotine are addictive, but marijuana and
liquor are not. Oh, I know there are alcoholics, but that is more because
of psychological issues or a person's chemical makeup, although no one
really seems to know about that.

People would be surprised how many of their hard-working, very intelligent
friends smoke pot.

Pot should be legal and governed in the same manner as liquor, including
driving under the influence. A drunk is far more unreliable behind the
wheel than a pot smoker, but both should be considered DUI.

That said, if I had to take a choice of riding with a drunk or someone who
was stoned, I will take the stoned person. I wouldn't want to ride with
either, but if I absolutely had to choose, that would be my choice.

Larry Gilbert

Savannah