MARIJUANA COULD DO WONDERS FOR AMERICANS

To the editor:

After reading Ellen Goodman's column on marijuana (Aug. 9, "Oh, that
Canada's sane policy on
marijuana would drift south"), I also wish the Canadian tolerance
would flow into the states.

Why limit euphoria to those standing hand in hand with death?
America's mushrooming bout with depression could use a few tokes to
revive happiness.

President Bush's protection of big oil companies is logically followed
by his protection of phenomenal pharmaceutical bankrolls as well. It's
a stance brimming with duplicity: Just say no to drugs, but say yes to
Prozac, Tylenol, Zoloft, Effexor ...

Bush could fulfill his campaign promise to unite the country by
legalizing marijuana. It wouldn't make doctors dope dealers any more
than they already are.

Farmers would need to expand their land instead of losing it, and the
revenue generated would boost our sagging economy. Truly, everyone
would be happy.

Any substance can be abused, but have you ever heard of anyone dying
from a marijuana overdose? Me neither.

PENNY BEARD
Huddleston