POT PROHIBITION REAPS HARVEST OF POLLUTION

Regarding the 6,000 marijuana plants found in the endangered species
habitat of the Angeles National Forest (Aug. 1): Here is a prime
example of why drug prohibition is far worse than a controlled and
regulated system. If it were not for our nation's prohibitionist
policies, that endangered habitat would still be in its pristine condition.

Marijuana prohibition has been in effect for going on 70 years, yet
there is more marijuana being grown is this country now. These growing
operations are just like the moonshine stills of alcohol prohibition,
except on a much grander scale and far more devastating to the
environment. This won't be the last article about a big bust where
growers were growing thousands of plants and had hundreds of pounds of
toxic chemicals polluting our rivers and streams. Just because drugs
are bad, it doesn't mean prohibition is good.

Curt Wagoner, La Pine, Ore.