POT, LIKE ALCOHOLISM, ISN'T MINOR ISSUE

In an Oct. 13 letter, Kirk Muse wrote, "Marijuana use never has caused
a death." This is incorrect. Marijuana is a potent carcinogen, worse
because it is inhaled deeply and held in the lungs for maximum
exposure, which is why Great Britain has started tracking deaths
caused by lung cancer from marijuana.

Traffic accidents and deaths involving drivers high on pot or residual
effects fall into the "under the influence" category. Is marijuana no
worse than than alcohol? Maybe, but alcoholism isn't a minor problem.

VICKI SMALL