I'd like to commend the four mayors who sent letters to President Clinton
encouraging him to keep cannabis clubs open ( "Clinton pressure on pot
suit," March 18).

These mayors [including Willie Brown of San Francisco and Elihu Harris of
Oakland] represent the "will of the people," as expressed in Proposition
215, to legalize medical use of marijuana. But they also possess a bravery
that is rare among politicians - i.e. the courage to speak out for common
sense and against a clearly fanatical faction that seems to think marijuana
is a demonic substance no one should use, medicinally or recreationally.

The mayors risk being labeled "soft on drugs" in any future
political endeavors.

I am sure many current and future politicians feel marijuana is not a "big
deal" but probably do not speak their minds for fear this would be
political suicide. This is really unfortunate because in truth marijuana is
not a seriously dangerous mind-altering substance.

In a country with freedom of choice, where nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and
hundreds of over-the-counter sleeping and diet aids proliferate, why is
marijuana such a forbidden substance? We are free to change our mood and
consciousness at will by using these other legal mind-altering substances,
yet we are not allowed to use marijuana for any of the same reasons.

It's time for all free-thinking American citizens (including politicians)
to take a stand for asserting our individual freedom.

The compassion and foresight expressed by these courageous mayors (and I
should add San Francisco District Attorney Terence Hallinan) should be an
example to the rest of us who believe in compassion, common sense and
freedom.

Martin Garro
Lafayette