MARIJUANA LAWS ARE SOURCE OF TROUBLE

I disagree with the suggestion that marijuana is a gateway drug ("Laws
against marijuana go up in smoke," Aug. 5, Readers Write). Most marijuana
users are not interested in other recreational drugs. Our
marijuana-prohibition policy - not marijuana itself - causes the gateway
effect, forcing buyers to purchase marijuana from the same people who sell
heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, and who often offer free samples of
addictive drugs. In the Netherlands, marijuana is available to adults in
coffee shops, and the Dutch rate of drug use is substantially lower than US
rates.

Kirk Muse. Vancouver, Wash.