WHO IS THE VICTIM

RE "LETTERS to the Editor," by Stephane Bourbannais (Dec. 27): I wanted to
reply to the comment the editor made at the end of the letter. I hear this
often from people who don't think legalizing cannabis is a good idea.

They say, "Why don't we just legalize murder?" or, as you, said "You could
say the same thing about almost everything." The difference here is that
there aren't millions of people in the world fighting to legalize murder or
other crimes where there is a victim. Cannabis is used by more people than
any other "illegal" drug.

Those users are being criminally prosecuted, which results in their
financial and social lives oftentimes being destroyed. How is this helping
society? I don't think the arguments for legalizing cannabis can be applied
to other crimes. Exactly who is the victim if I grow, possess or consume
cannabis in my home? Who is the victim if the cops come knocking on my door?

Scott Russ, Baton Rouge, La.

(But we aren't saying marijuana possession should be criminalized -- we're
saying a possible cash benefit for government isn't a good reason to
legalize something)