OUR WASTEFUL DRUG WAR

Re: Just Say No To The Drug War, Aug. 25.

New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is correct when he says that the money
spent fighting marijuana use would be better spent elsewhere.

His health statistics reflect my own experiences as a nurse. I have
never seen a patient suffering from a marijuana-related health problem
- - - not in 25 years of caring for the sick. With cigarettes, on the
other hand, I've seen lots of problems. Trust me on that one -- or
read a newspaper. If protecting the public is the issue, why is
tobacco still legal?

Perhaps one day, a Florida leader will demonstrate the same courage as
Gov. Johnson. Maybe one day, Floridians will realize their tax dollars
are being misappropriated. Maybe one day, the time and energy wasted
on eradicating pot will be reinvested in something useful. Maybe?
Probably not.

Mike Reichold
Largo