MARIJUANA MORE HARMFUL THAN CIGARETTES

While cigarette packages are getting the graphic makeover to
discourage smoking, Washington lawmakers are promoting
decriminalization of marijuana ["Government's gory labels aim to
extinguish smoking habit," [page one, June 22]. Ironically, these two
Seattle Times articles were printed side-by-side, prompting the
readers to ask, "What popularized smoking back then?"

Legislation doesn't curb self-destructive behavior of citizens, but it
seems the smart lawmakers who call the criminalization of marijuana
"stupid" should at least have enough of a social conscience to educate
the public about marijuana before tearing the legal fences down.

One marijuana cigarette can cause more damage to the lungs than many
tobacco cigarettes because marijuana has more tar in it and is usually
smoked without filters. The damaging effects of marijuana include, but
are not limited to, anxiety, paranoia, nausea, tremors, decreased
coordination, breathing problems and reduced blood flow to the brain
(and therefore causes more problems).

If the current law criminalizing the production and possession of
marijuana is as stupid as the lawmakers claim, how will a new law
limiting the quantities be smarter? If people have trouble exercising
self-control and respecting boundaries to begin with, how will the new
law change the game?

Deleting the existing law without educating the public is nothing less
than being irresponsible.

Theresa Froehlich

Lynnwood