MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION SUPPORTED

I applaud Record columnist Michael Fitzgerald's support of the
legalization of marijuana even though there are those who criticize
him.

One letter writer made the common mistake of equating marijuana with
addictive narcotics such as heroin and cocaine. But comparing
marijuana with those opiates is like comparing apples with rocks,
because marijuana is not physiologically addictive.

I know a number of people who smoked marijuana for some time and then
quit "cold turkey" (I did the same thing myself). Neither I nor any of
these other people felt any cravings nor suffered from any withdrawal
symptoms. It may be habit forming because it feels so good to some and
imparts a feeling of euphoria. Some people claim to be addicted to
chocolate for the same reason.

And Fitzgerald is correct when he says legalization of marijuana would
be an economic boon to the country. Municipal treasuries would receive
money directly from taxes and fees. The hundreds and thousands of
dollars per year that are spent to incarcerate those who have violated
marijuana probation laws would be saved; the California budget needs
the money.

It is believed that the drug cartels that operate along the
U.S.-Mexico border are primarily financed by the illegal sale of
marijuana. The legal sale of marijuana would put these cartels out of
business.

This is not to say other drugs such as heroin, cocaine and
amphetamines should be legalized; they are dangerous to one's health
and should not be. But marijuana legalization is a win-win situation.

Roger Winslow
Manteca