PROBLEMS WITH MARIJUANA USE ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER, NOT
DRUG

I am responding to Jennifer A. Paton's letter of May 17, "Calling
marijuana a natural drug ignores altered states it causes." Like many
others who submit to their constant conditioning, that is the war on
drugs, she believes much of the inaccurate information being pushed. I
suggest doing a little reading. Throughout history, marijuana has had
an intricate and intertwined relationship with humans. It provides
food, shelter, clothing and relief from pain for many even today. And
it is not an addictive substance.

How is she going to compare the potency of marijuana, a plant, to
over-the-counter and prescription drugs, which are synthetic
chemicals? They're two different things.

She stated, "Like any other drug addicts, those who smoke pot lie,
cover, betray and can spend countless hours week after week neglecting
and abandoning their families." This statement is most provoking
because it shows a common attitude shared by many Americans, to hold
the drug responsible, instead of the person. Lack of personal
accountability is one of many ways our freedoms as Americans are being
taken away.

But let's get real, anyone who would do that to their family has
problems that aren't caused by drugs. And it is equally as probable
that a person like that might be better on the drug than not.

SAM PETTIE

Anchorage