LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA WOULD LOWER ADDICTION RATES

Another beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana)
that doesn't get mentioned in Margaret Miceli's March 16 column
"Legalizing marijuana can help economy" is that it will lower hard
drug addiction rates.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) will have to stop brainwashing
youth into believing lies, half-truths and propaganda concerning
cannabis, which creates grave future problems.

How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful
as taught in DARE-type government environments? Then they think other
substances must not be so bad either, only to become addicted to deadly drugs.

The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst substances in
the world, even though it's less addictive than coffee and has never
killed a single person.

The federal government even classifies cannabis as a Schedule I
substance along with heroin, while methamphetamine and cocaine are
only Schedule II substances. For the health and welfare of America's
children and adults, that dangerous and irresponsible message
absolutely must change.

Further, regulated cannabis sales would make it so citizens who
purchase cannabis would not come into contact with people who often
also sell hard drugs which would lower hard drug addiction rates.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.