THE GREAT MICHAEL PHELPS/MARIJUANA DEBATE

Thanks for Jill Porter's eminently sensible column about Michael
Phelps and marijuana ("Phelps a Toke-ing of Pot Legalizers'
Affection," Feb. 4). It's worth remembering that no one would raise an
eyebrow if Phelps had been photographed hoisting a Bud or a martini.
Compared to marijuana, alcohol is more addictive, more toxic and
orders of magnitude more likely to make users aggressive or violent.
Phelps apparently chose to unwind with a substance that is far safer,
despite its legal status. The more than 872,000 U.S. marijuana arrests
in 2007 (89 percent were for mere possession) represent an insane
waste of national resources at a time when governments at all levels
are awash in debt. Enough.

Bruce Mirken Director of Communications Marijuana Policy Project

Washington, D.C.