LEGAL MARIJUANA

In re the story about George Soros's response to House Speaker J. Dennis
Hastert's backhanded allegations that Soros may be connected to drug
cartels because of Soros's promotion of marijuana legalization efforts
("No knockdowns yet in Soros vs. Hastert," Sept. 1):

The allegations that Soros may be connected to drug cartels because of
his championing marijuana-legalization efforts could not possibly be
true.

The last thing marijuana growers want is legalization. The last thing
cocaine and heroin cartels want is legalization. If drugs are legal,
the huge profits are eliminated. Marijuana in particular is so easy to
grow, if it were legal you couldn't give it away.

Mr. Hastert's allegations are yet another example of the Republicans'
tactic of assassinating the character of those who disagree with them
and those who work to promote a different agenda than theirs.

Ralph Averill

New Preston, Conn.