POT JUST 'ANOTHER PROBLEM'

Editor, The Times:

The state of Washington, with some of its citizens attempting to
legalize marijuana, is digging a hole deeper into the criminal abyss
["McKay joins push to make pot legal," page one, June 22]. It is as if
they want the state to give up on the control of illegal drugs to the
point of joining the dark side.

Marijuana may seem mundane to many, but like any drug, legal or
illegal, it has side effects that lead to mental illness and diseases
the taxpayer ends up responsible for. Making it legal due to economics
is like using a "patch" instead of fixing the problem outright.

Adding another mind-altering or painkilling drug to the mix of legal
drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, sends the message that more
responsibility must be placed on the police and courts to control
their use. Yet, the American Civil Liberties Union's lawyers want to
limit that very function.

I have to take a stand against The Seattle Times and its backing of
legalizing marijuana, in light of the legal system's needs to protect
the people of this state.

Alcohol, tobacco and drug treatment is not free. Let's not add to that
cost by legalizing yet another problem.

Jim Morris

Renton