GOD-GIVEN PLANT

In response to "What's the worst that could happen: Marijuana is
legalized," by Jackson Rohrbaugh. May 28:

Another reason to re-legalize the relatively safe, socially
acceptable, God-given plant cannabis that doesn't get mentioned is
that it will lower hard-drug addiction rates.

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 never killed a single person, while cigarettes kill more than
1,000 Americans daily.

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 the United
States' children and adults, that dangerous, irresponsible and
inaccurate message absolutely must change.

Further, DARE instructors teach that cannabis is bad and should be
prohibited, yet unregulated sales of cannabis force buyers into
contact with people who often sell harder drugs.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.