WRONG ON MARIJUANA

This letter is directed primarily to the sophomoric stance of the
author who advocates legalizing marijuana and is so sincerely
dedicated to his noble cause, has even written a book ("When will we
learn that pot should be legalized?" -- Paul Armentano, Feb. 16).

Who is the publisher of this drivel? Truly, everyone should buy the
book when it is published to understand the principles behind the
theory that a little education is a very dangerous thing. His
writings, based on simplistic arguments and shallow reasoning, prove
the exact opposite of his intended purpose. And this, my friend, is a
very good thing because legalizing marijuana is the first step into
very serious chemical addiction, a path to total and absolute destruction.

He stated that Michael Phelps' indulgence "is making international
headlines, though it is difficult to understand why." Well, he said
it best -- he cannot understand why. Sir, if you want your child to
become an athletic super hero, a financial guru or to just blend into
a group of his peers who choose to "enhance relaxation," to be able
to "manage the challenges and demands of living in contemporary
modern society," you would approve of your child using pot? That is
pathetic -- you don't have a clue.

There are more toxic chemicals and poisons in marijuana than are in
nicotine. You stated that "70 percent of current marijuana users are
gainfully employed" but you fail to mention that the remaining 30
percent, three times our current unemployment rate, are in
rehabilitation clinics or laying in doorways or the gutters.

As a retired law enforcement officer, I can personally attest to the
peace and ffreedom riots in Berkeley during the Vietnam War, the drug
lord Tim Leary in San Francisco and how thousands literally lost
their minds and their lives by experimenting with LSD. I have visited
their rural campsites in Northern California and Oregon. These people
share one thing in common: Marijuana. A very large percentage of all
pot heads end up using more serious chemicals and become alcoholics,
and the vast majority of our enormous prison population are seriously
addicted to one chemical or another. Additionally, nearly 90 percent
of our teenage suicides involve marijuana or some other drug.

If I were you, I would write another book, because you are advocating
a most destructive course of action for our young adults. It does not
matter how many punks use marijuana, regardless of their stature in
life. Charles Manson and his blood-thirsty group were constant users
of marijuana. And believe it or not, our laws are designed to protect
people like us from people like you. Good luck -- you need all you can get.

Lyndon E. Lafferty

Vallejo