LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

If health safety determined drug laws, instead of cultural norms,
marijuana would be legal ("The politics of pot," editorial, April 24).

Unlike alcohol, marijuana does not cause death by overdose, nor does
it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana can be
harmful if abused, but prison cells are inappropriate as health
interventions and ineffective as deterrents.

By raiding voter-approved medical marijuana providers in California,
the very same Bush administration that claims illicit drug use funds
terrorism is forcing cancer and AIDS patients into the hands of street dealers.

Apparently marijuana prohibition is more important than protecting
the United States from terrorism.

Robert Sharpe

Washington