MARIJUANA SCARES BIG BUSINESS

Re "Pot's benefits, risks deserve study" (Living Here, Oct. 30): As
with many good ideas in this country, if big business doesn't go
along, it will probably never see the light of day. Decriminalization
of pot is yet another example.

The benefits of pot have been known for years, just like the ill
effects of tobacco were known for years, and it took how many years
and deaths before Congress would do anything about tobacco's big lie?
The fact that you can replace half of your medicine chest with pot
scares the big boys in the pharmaceutical business. The boys in the
liquor business are worried, too, that people might come home after a
hard day at work and light up instead of drink up.

Meanwhile, Americans still sit in prison for pot offenses while our
lawmakers are out getting drunk at fundraisers.

Tim McKinnon, West Sacramento