LEGALIZE POT? I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH

For The Monitor

Re "Bill aims to legalize marijuana use" (Monitor, Jan. 16): It won't
happen - not with the mindset of our "leaders."

The History Channel has shown and re-shown the story of marijuana and
how it came to be illegal. Do congressmen ever watch TV (other than
football)? Those who would rule us should be required to watch
educational TV now and then and maybe read a book or two about the real world.

Why is it, Mister Lawmaker, that you won't even allow medical
researchers to study marijuana? What kind of evil do you think is in
that flower anyway?

I've done a lot of research into drugs. I've never heard of anyone
dying, becoming ill or losing their minds and going starkers from
eating or smoking marijuana. And how many people lie bleeding in the
road at this very moment because of your drug of choice?

Apart from the many humane reasons that exist, legalizing pot will
bring down the price. You can tax it and pay for education. The
police and courts will be able to concentrate on important things,
like actual crime.

Legalization would give millions of Americans reason to believe you
guys are people, too. That alone should be a reason to consider it.
The way you guys are running things, you need all the friends you can get.

I have a personal stake in this bill. I have a condition listed on
various marijuana bills. But it should be legal for healthy people, too.

I am a peace lover and do not steal from or harm anyone. I am, if
anything, a benefit to society. There are many more like me. Would
you arrest us all for the crime of trying to feel good while we
explore our minds?

Legalizing marijuana might help some people get away from the drugs
that really are harmful.

Bruce M. Carleton Jr.

Henniker