LEGALIZE MARIJUANA? THAT'S A DISASTROUS IDEA

After days and weeks of reading newspaper articles and letters
supporting the legalization of marijuana, I have to respond, hopefully
in a small way to ignite folks to resist this ludicrous idea.

I have a question: Why would anyone want to put a substance in their
body that is totally harmful in ways they don't even know about yet?
Marijuana has already been proven to cause serious respiratory
problems and the ability to reason properly while operating a vehicle
or anything mechanical. It's beyond my comprehension.

You have two drugs that are already legal: Tobacco and alcohol. The
tragedy, grief and cost of these two are already overwhelming. Why in
God's name would you want to add another? I don't care to see zombies
walking around our streets. We have too many already!

I'd say it's time to get even tougher on the use of this and other
drugs that are being homegrown, as well as the crap that's coming
across our borders. It's a systematic, well-regulated, organized
attempt to destroy this beautiful country of ours. This will become
more evident in the coming days and years.

There is so much more that should be said about this subject, but time
and space are not available. Mr. Michael J. McCoy's letter ("Times
have changed -- so should drug laws," March 8) would be a deadly
change. Think about where we want to go in this country. It's up to
you.

Ray Hagler

Vallejo