RESPONSE TO "ENDING REEFER MADNESS"

While Cynthia Tucker's piece considers many important issues, it
ignores or misrepresents others.

The disproportion of jail or prison time between whites and blacks and
other minorities convicted of marijuana use bears constant scrutiny.
Also deserving scrutiny is the article's claim that research suggests
marijuana is no more detrimental than alcohol. While this is arguable,
what it omits is not.

Impairment or intoxication from any substance is dangerous. Many
people use alcohol to achieve impairment. Many others use it more
moderately to relax or socialize. How likely is a marijuana user to
smoke a joint with plans to avoid impairment? And for any who might,
how many succeed?

Ron Walton, Carrollton