MARIJUANA IS NOT ADDICTIVE

Norm Jackson's stance against legalizing marijuana ("Legalizing
marijuana makes no sense," June 17) is rooted in embellishments. He
falsely classified marijuana into the same group of mind-altering
substances as alcohol, claimed it is addictive, and embraced the
ultimate slippery slope fallacy: Legalizing marijuana would lead to
societal instability.

Addiction is a special term reserved only for those substances that
cause users to be unable to consistently abstain, and without
treatment will lead to disability or even death. This is undeniably
true of alcohol: Doctors and emergency room staff would testify to the
detrimental physiological and behavioral effects of alcohol. Liver
damage, brain damage, and overdose are dangers of drinking. However,
no medical doctor would say these symptoms are likely to occur from
regular use of marijuana.

I sympathize with everyone who's lost family and friends to drivers
impaired by legal or illegal drugs. Unfortunately, whether it's legal
or illegal to consume certain substances, there will always be some
people making irresponsible decisions when it comes to medication. The
enemy is not marijuana; it's ignorance.

Kate Downey

San Luis Obispo