BENEFITS OF POT

CHICAGO -- The long-winded, one-sided, anti-marijuana commentary (Voice,
Dec. 24) by Peter B. Bensinger, former administrator of the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration, needs to be balanced. He is criticizing the
Tribune's Nov.8 editorial "Groundswell for medical marijuana." Please
compare marijuana with nicotine. Which product has done and does more harm
to people? Which is more addictive? Does nicotine have any therapeutic
value? Most people know the answers.

We all know that nicotine is very harmful and that kids are being
encouraged by the greedy, selfish and irresponsible tobacco tycoons every
day to become more dependent on nicotine.

Did Mr. Bensinger ever do any research in Holland, where marijuana is used
for both therapy and relaxation? He could learn a lot from the bright and
honest Dutch people who are known to use a lot of common sense.

Erik Rasmussen