FEELING BETTER

Regarding "Rhode Island Follows Through on Medical Marijuana," by Ian
Donnis (January 6), if health outcomes determined drug laws instead
of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal. Unlike alcohol,
marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does
it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana can be
harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate as health
interventions and ineffective as deterrents.

The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican
migration during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the AMA. By
raiding voter-approved medical-marijuana providers in California, the
very same US DEA that claims illicit drug use funds terrorism is
forcing cancer and AIDS patients into the hands of street dealers.
Apparently marijuana prohibition is more important than protecting
the country from terrorism.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, DC