MARIJUANA USE DIFFERENT THAN COCAINE OR METH

Dear Editor, I'm writing about Anastacia Cosner's thoughtful letter,
"High school drug policy needs another look," Sept. 27.

As the parent of a 16-year-old, I can say that, ideally, my son will
never use any illegal drugs. However, if he does use an illegal drug,
I would hope it's marijuana and only marijuana.

Drug testing discourages this because marijuana is fat-soluble. As a
result, marijuana stays in a person's system for up to several weeks.
On the other hand, drugs like methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin
exit the body within a few days because they are water-soluble.

Drug testing discourages marijuana use and encourages use of much
more dangerous drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin.

Would you want your children experimenting with meth or heroin
instead of marijuana? Meth and heroin can and do kill. Marijuana does
not. Meth, cocaine and heroin are highly addictive. Marijuana is not.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.