LEGALIZED CANNABIS YIELDS FURTHER BENEFITS

Another beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) that
doesn't get mentioned (Editorial: "Legalizing Marijuana," March 9) is that
it will lower hard drug addiction rates. Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or
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.