DON'T PUSH FOR POT

Editor:

As I was reading the newspaper Jan. 14, I found the letters to the editor
on the use marijuana of great interest. There were a number of letters from
all over the country taking a pro position for Governor Johnson's idea on
marijuana.

I wondered who those people were and if they represented a group
orchestrated to send letters in favor of the decriminalizing of marijuana.
It is my hope that the citizens of San Juan County will pay no attention to
them.

For many years the citizenry of the United States have had access to two
legal substances which would classify as drugs - tobacco and alcohol.

Both of these have caused an untold, almost immeasurable, amount of misery,
woe and disease. How can we think of adding another to this list? Marijuana
is not an innocuous substance. The adverse effects on the human body are
well documented.

It is true there may be beneficial effects in some disease conditions.
These are currently being investigated.

If it can be medically proven there is benefit, then I can see a place for
the use of marijuana if it can be tightly controlled as a prescription-only
item. But to open up for an unlimited use would be a most regrettable,
unwise decision.

Please advise your legislators that you are opposed to this idea.

Donald E. Casebolt, MD, Farmington