DON'T LEGALIZE DOPE

In response to Larry James pro-marijuana legalization letter,
"Legalize marijuana" (Forum, Oct. 31): Medical marijuana and general
legalization are complicated measures that cannot be implemented
lightly. As a business owner of drug and alcohol rehabilitation
centers in Utah and Arizona, I am relieved that the medical marijuana
and several legalization propositions in Western states in the recent
midterm elections did not pass: Oregon, New Mexico, South Dakota,
Arizona ('no's ahead in recount) and California.

While Journey Healing Centers has always supported giving marijuana to
critically ill patients, these propositions were about deceptions to
legalize an addictive drug for profit. After watching too many people
and families suffer from drug abuse, we could not support laws that
made it way too easy to get marijuana for almost any pain. The
definition for qualifying illnesses, health risks and messages to kids
need more careful review first.

As with most medications and drugs, education is key. To give
marijuana such a broad use without proper education just sets up a lot
of people to fail. We need more honest education and regulations
before we legalize marijuana.

Lisa Lannon Co-founder, Journey Healing Centers Scottsdale, Ariz.