POST SMOKERS DO NOT SUFFER BRAIN DAMAGE

(In response to a Feb. 18 letter "Rick Steves Marijuana Mission Not
Worthwhile). As a pot smoking writer for the past 46 years with three
books rated as best in their field in the last four years, I'm
wondering when this mythical brain damage John Navroth is so concerned
about will set in. Besides my books, I have created two top selling
DVDs in the last 2 years.

If Mr Navroth thinks there is mental impairment from cannabis, how
does he explain me getting past a rugged learning curve to do the DVD
camera work and the brain-busting post production titles, graphics,
transitions etc etc etc involved in doing DVD composition in about 3
months. It generally takes students a year or more to get to the point
where they have a handle the clip management, editing and replication,
not to mention that operating a professional DVD camera is way more
than a point and click operation. And I smoke pot almost every day.

How does Navroth explain the scores of highly successful musicians who
use marijuana such as Willie Nelson, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick
Jagger Art Garfunkel Jimmy Dorsey Johnny Cash, John Lennon, and Louis
Armstrong to name a few. If Navroth thinks creating music and running
a successful band is easy he should give it a try. And what about the
fact that the last three Presidents admit marijuana use. Politics and
music are the most highly competitive careers in the world and
mentally disabled people cannot compete.

How do so many pot smokers manage to succeed, if marijuana puts them
out of touch with reality.

Floyd Krautner

Bakersfield, Calif.