POT BAN IS PROBLEM, NOT A SOLUTION

W. Russell G. Byers (column, March 30) is confused.

The greatest risk for medical marijuana users is getting caught in the
judicial system.

However, Byers overstates the risk of marijuana for young people. He
buys into Joe Califano's illogical "gateway" theory - that marijuana
use will "lead" to harder drugs.

The gateway theory becomes more believable when Byers places it into
context. The only way to obtain marijuana is through the black market.
Entering that black market exposes the marijuana buyers to other, more
dangerous black-market drugs. If marijuana buyers didn't have to go to
the black market, this exposure would not take place.

The true problem is not marijuana, but prohibition of marijuana. It is
prohibition that jeopardizes the health and freedom of medical
marijuana users. Prohibition exposes marijuana users to more dangerous
drugs.

So what about the children? Well, if marijuana prohibition were even
slightly successful at keeping the drug from children, would Byers be
able to cite statistics that half of 13-year-olds say they can buy it
easily?

STEPHEN YOUNG, Roselle, Ill.