MARIJUANA LAWS MAKE NO SENSE

It is detective Ken Real, not critics of the drug war, who has his
facts wrong (Letters, July 18, "Drug war critic's facts were
mistaken," 7/18).

Why does he think criminal gangs plant marijuana farms in national
forests and other public lands, endangering hikers, campers and the
environment? Why don't they plant vineyards, or fields of hops and
barley for making beer?

Simple: Alcohol -- a drug far more addictive and toxic than marijuana --
is legally regulated. Those who produce and sell it are licensed and
regulated, and must follow extensive rules about how the product can be
produced, how it must be labeled, and where and to whom it may be sold.

Because of prohibition, marijuana -- an easy, cheap plant to grow -- is
literally worth its weight in gold, and grown under the most hazardous
and risky conditions possible. Simply put, that's insane.

Bruce Mirken

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington, D.C.