WHY NOT LEGALIZE, REGULATE MARIJUANA?

Editor,

I'm writing about Edward A. Pane's letter: "Marijuana use shouldn't be
'recreational'" (Dec. 6). Many products are consumed for
"recreational" purposes, including Coca Cola and Pepsi. Nobody claims
they contain anything of nutritional value.Should we criminalize these
products also?

Why not re-legalize marijuana so it can be sold in licensed, regulated
and taxed business establishments? Pot is substantially less dangerous
than either tobacco that contains nicotine, or alcohol.

People consume marijuana for the same reasons people consume alcohol.
Why not offer adults the much safer alternative to alcohol?

Kirk Muse,

Mesa, Ariz.