To the editor:

We applaud the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
(NORML) for its efforts to publicize, through San Francisco
billboards, the fact that there are many responsible citizens who use
marijuana in a discreet and moderate fashion for socializing, relaxing
and legitimate medical purposes.

Conversely, we decry those who demonize marijuana use despite its
relative innocuousness when compared to legal drugs such as alcohol,
tobacco, and Valium. It is long past time for the millions of average,
law-abiding people who use marijuana to stand up and declare, "We are
we not criminals."

We also deplore the tremendous waste of human and financial resources
that are being diverted from important causes to indoctrination,
interdiction and incarceration of pot users who have committed no
other "crime."

Our leaders, the general public and every one of us must take action
to end this travesty.

We invite like-minded individuals to work towards the prompt
decriminalization of marijuana.

Isn't it ironic that despite our strong convictions on this issue, the
current atmosphere of intolerance, hypocrisy, and McCarthyism forces
us to sign this letter anonymously?

Teacher-- San Rafael Attorney, CPA--San Rafael Home Builder
(non-smoker)--San Rafael Video Salesperson--San Rafael Business
Manager--Mill Valley Sales and Designer--Mill Valley Legal Software
Applications Specialist--Novato Production Specialist-- Petaluma
Teacher--McKinleyville Attorney--Emeryville Physical
Therapist--Berkeley Market Guru--Berkeley Librarian--Berkeley
Consultant--Albany Substance Abuse Research Administrator--Pinole
Retired California Correctional Worker--Pinole Nurse--San Francisco
Computer Program Designer--San Francisco Attorney--Los Angeles
Attorney--San Diego