PLUCKING WEEDS OF INFORMATION FROM THE MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS

I chuckled when I read the letter to the editor "Drug laws create youth drug
market" (April 1). My goodness. That letter surely had some statements
that defied logic, research and history. It is interesting that the
author works for a foundation considered by many to be one of the
biggest promoters of drug legalization.

Just as there is a tobacco lobby that has misrepresented the hazards
of tobacco cigarettes, there is a well-funded marijuana lobby working
to place marijuana cigarettes on store shelves. Everyone knows that
smoking is hazardous to one's health and that marijuana contains
more carcinogens than tobacco. The use of marijuana goes up as the
perception of harm goes down. Although the majority of the American
people, medical doctors, researchers and lawmakers agree that
marijuana should not be legalized, children pay close attention to the
arguments of the legalizers. Many young people believe marijuana is
harmless. It is not. It is a dangerous psychoactive weed with more
than 450 different chemicals that can cause a myriad of physical and
emotional problems. Weeds are not "medicine." People must quit
confusing marijuana with its active ingredient, THC. Don't be fooled
by the simplistic arguments of drug legalizers, who tend not to let
facts get in their way.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that any policy making
drugs more readily available will lead to increased drug use and
increased tragedy and violence. Easing legal restrictions on marijuana
could put millions of children at risk.

JOAN BELLM

Founder, Illinois Drug Education Alliance

Founder, Drug Watch International (www.drugwatch.org)