LEGALIZING MARIJUANA DIMINISHES GATEWAY EFFECT

Regarding your thoughtful editorial about marijuana ("Marijuana poses
lesser threat than violent theft," ODE May 12): Actually, marijuana poses
less danger than a cup of coffee.

If we drink 65 cups of coffee in a single day, we have a serious chance of
dying as a result. On the other hand, if we smoke the most potent marijuana
available in the world, all day long, the worst effect would be a severe
case of the munchies.

As for the so-called "gateway effect": Because marijuana is illegal, it is
sold by criminals. These criminals often sell other, more dangerous drugs
and often offer free samples of the more dangerous drugs to their marijuana
customers. Thus the gateway effect.

Legalize, regulate, tax and control the sales of marijuana and we close the
gateway to hard drugs.

Kirk Muse

Arizona