I would like to correct an impression left by Brian Nearing's Sept. 3
news story, in which he stated that I was an advocate of marijuana
use.

Neither I nor the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws have ever advocated the use of marijuana; rather, we support the
ending of prohibition, which has caused more problems for our society
than marijuana ever could.

Study after study, including a recent report by the U.N.'s World
Health Organization that was suppressed by the federal government,
have concluded that marijuana does little harm either to the people
who use it or to the society in which they live.Compare this to the
results of prohibition, which continues to fill our prisons with
non-violent offenders, while reducing personal rights and freedoms
guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

In a country that allows adults to choose to use alcohol and tobacco,
it is insane to persecute marijuana users, especially when in many
cases they face penalties that are more severe than those for violent
crimes such as rape and manslaughter.

Any objective review of prohibition based on cost vs. effectiveness
must conclude that prohibition is a flawed, failed policy. It is time
to explore new solutions.

JONATHAN von LINDEN Schoharie