STILL ILLEGAL AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

To the Editor:

Although Eric Schlosser (Op-Ed, April 26) makes a valid point that medical
marijuana should be made available to anyone with chronic pain, epilepsy
and so on, his plea to decriminalize marijuana is dangerous and
shortsighted. As Mr. Schlosser clearly states, "marijuana is a powerful,
mind-altering drug."

This country presently has scores of individuals battling alcohol
addiction, addiction to illegal drugs and addiction to legal,
over-the-counter drugs. Making marijuana legal will send the signal to
children that using this "mind-altering" drug is perfectly acceptable and
will only add to our country's growing problem of drug dependency.

WILLIAM LOWN Bronxville, N.Y., April 26, 2004