GOOD WEED

I've been a common pot smoker for more than 50 years -- most of my
life. It's caused me some trouble a time or two, but only because it's
illegal. It shouldn't be.

During these past 50 years, I have met and known many people who share
that opinion. A few behaved badly and drew attention to themselves.
These rare exceptions give the rest of us a tarnished name in many
circles.

I've met pot smokers who are some of the finest people anyone could
ever wish to know, from wealthy humanitarians to people who have next
to nothing but are happy to share it. Every one of them lives by the
Golden Rule.

Serious crime is nonexistent among these folks. Compassion,
generosity, responsibility, respect for others and trustworthiness are
common qualities of their children and grandchildren, too.

I believe these are the kinds of people most of us think of as normal,
although the argument could be made that they are a vanishing breed in
today's society.

In my experience, we -- the vast majority of otherwise law-abiding pot
smokers -- are indistinguishable from our fellow citizens.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the world would be a far
better and safer place if marijuana were legal.

C. A. RILEY

Potwin