The Forum page in your June 14 issue entitled "Cannabis Conundrum" was
entirely devoted to the legal and political implications of legalizing
marijuana. There wasn't a word about its harmful health effects or
danger to others. This was obviously no simple oversight: It came
right out of the play book of the National Organization for the
Legalization of Marijuana (NORML).

Unlike any other drug in history, the burden of proof is with those
who would prove marijuana safe rather than harmful. And yet the
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) as well as
scientists and clinicians throughout the world agree "pot" can be
extremely dangerous.

Physicians, medical organizations, corporations and government
agencies have sponsored full page ads in major newspapers to
underscore this point. You are ill serving your readers if you
highlight arguments for and against legalizing marijuana without
calling attention to the ever-increasing evidence it poses a serious
health threat, especially to children. I strongly urge you to run a
major article that would explain how and why.

Bruce W. Frazer
Durham