POT CLAIMS DEADLY

I realize I'm a bit late on this letter. Nonetheless, I wanted to give
you my feedback. I wanted to give thanks for outstanding columns Dead
Pope's Society and My Billion-Dollar Beef (both NOW, April 7-13). Both
are exceptional pieces of work, very refreshing and challenging
viewpoints that I admire. However, what was Alan Young smoking [when
he wrote] And Marijuana For All propaganda (NOW, April 7-13)? It's
mind-boggling that he can assert that "marijuana is not significantly
responsible for vehicular carnage..." while later preaching that
"experimentation with pot" will lead to "the temporary alteration of
perception."

I'm sorry, Alan, but marijuana's temporary alteration of perception
is significantly responsible for vehicular carnage. I know this for a
fact. The same night I was high lying in the middle of a busy highway
outside Toronto watching cars go by my head after "power toking," my
kindred spirit buddy smashed on the northbound 427. Dave died, and I
lived. That was 10 years ago, and I never smoked up again.

Barry Pletch

Toronto