CURRENT DRUG LAWS CONTRIBUTE TO SPIKE IN VIOLENCE

This is regarding the editorial, "Marijuana violence" (Telegram &
Gazette, Dec. 14). The T&G's attempts to lay blame for the recent
violence on marijuana are actually quite lame. When was the last time
we read of violence occurring because someone tried to steal some
alcohol from a bootlegger? Prohibition? Probably. The violence occurs
because marijuana is still illegal to sell and buy. Legalize it and
the violence will end, just as it has where alcohol is involved.

The T&G should have titled the editorial, "Mainstream violence,"
because it is mainstream thinking about marijuana that leads to its
criminalization and, hence, to violence.

Peter Schultz