LOWER HARD DRUG USE, TOO

Another beneficial component of re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) that
doesn't get mentioned ("Idea worth more study," May 23) 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 create grave problems in the future.
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 that 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.