CRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA SENDS DANGEROUS MESSAGE

A sane argument to perpetuate prohibiting, persecuting and
exterminating cannabis (marijuana) and hemp doesn't exist. Another
reason to end cannabis prohibition that doesn't get mentioned ["Let's
begin the discussion about legalizing drugs," seattletimes.com,
Opinion, April 1] is because it will lower deadly 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 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 it would not come into contact with people who often also
sell hard drugs, which would lower hard-drug-addiction rates.

- -- Stan White, Dillon, Colo.