POT MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER

Marijuana is not the most dangerous drug in the world. That's why
Alaska statutes list it as a Schedule VIA drug as opposed to heroin, a
Schedule IA, or cocaine, a Schedule IIA. Our lawmakers wisely took
this into account when they wrote the laws, and the penalties also
reflect this.

Marijuana's potency, however, has been genetically increased so that
the percent of THC, its active ingredient, has grown in the past
generation from 1-2 percent to 30-40 percent. Marijuana now has more
THC than refined marijuana, or hashish, a Schedule IIIA drug, had when
the laws were written. Pot users store excess fat-soluble THC in their
brains and reproductive organs, the two fattiest portions of the human
body.

Although it won't kill outright, marijuana is a mind-altering drug,
responsible for much death and destruction. This occurs by impairing
one's driving ability and decision-making toward social behavior or
the law. Furthermore, users go to great lengths to get their substance
of choice.

Don't be concerned about harsh criminal penalties for simply smoking
pot -- they don't exist. Only the most deserving repeat commercial
marijuana dealers spend time in prison. Instead, worry about our state
when all our kids think it's OK to smoke this poison and thousands of
new druggies migrate to Alaska.

- -- Tony Hawk, Willow