LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

Kristopher Reinertson hit the bull's-eye with, "Tech Administration
Should Retire Zero Tolerance" (CT, Mar. 23). In fact the relatively
safe, socially acceptable, God-given plant cannabis (marijuana)
should be completely re-legalized. A beneficial component of
re-legalizing cannabis that doesn't get mentioned is that it will
lower hard drug addiction rates. DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education) 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 they were 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.