TREAT DRUG ABUSE AS HEALTH ISSUE, NOT A CRIME

Whatever happened to the idea of trying out new ideas in the
"laboratory of the states"? It is a concept often mentioned in U.S.
Supreme Court proceedings in contentious issues such as the right to
die and abortion.

Prohibitionists would have us believe that the Controlled Substances
Act is "settled law." It might have been settled a few years ago, but
not now, and certainly not in California.

The U.S. Department of Justice should leave California alone to try
its experiment with regulation. It would be enlightening for us all.

John Chase

Palm Harbor, Fla.