SMOKING VS. DRINKING, PART II

Richard Nordin's letter (March 10) about the dangers of secondhand
marijuana smoke is a classic example of "reefer madness." While claiming
that people who abuse alcohol harm only themselves, Nordin makes the claim
that marijuana smokers involuntarily expose others by forcing them to
breathe smoke.

Unfortunately, Nordin's confusion is not unique. The Legislature doesn't
hesitate to jack up the penalties for marijuana, but they don't want to
lower the blood-alcohol level for drunken driving. Driving a car after
drinking alcohol is just fine with them.

Personally, I'd prefer to get hit by second hand smoke than by a drunken
driver. Nordin should check with Broadlawns Hospital to see how many cases
of involuntary inhalation they've had in their emergency room lately.

Carl E. Olsen
Des Moines