LEGAL MARIJUANA COULD BE AN ECONOMIC THREAT

I write in reference to the thoughtful letter "Marijuana proscription
causes nothing but pain" (Jan. 1).

Is there any legitimate reason that a natural herb that has never
killed anybody should be classified the same as heroin? I think not.
Marijuana is a good substitute for potentially deadly painkillers such
as Vicodin and is also a substitute for alcohol.

The pharmaceutical industry knows this, and so does the alcohol
industry, and this is probably why marijuana remains a criminalized
substance.

- -- Kirk Muse,

Mesa, Ariz.