MARIJUANA SAFETY

Re: Marijuana tops tobacco among teens, Oct. 29.

After reading that teenagers are smoking cannabis more than tobacco, I have
changed my perspective on regulation. With alcohol and cigarettes, at least
we know what dangerous chemicals our children might be putting in their
bodies. But when marijuana is bought on the street, there is no warning on
the package, no list of ingredients -- it could be laced with impurities.

It is time to adjust to reality. The government must equalize marijuana
with tobacco. To judge one group's unhealthy habit or form of recreation
worse than another's is discrimination. We must legalize and regulate
marijuana, if not for the benefits of taxation and tourism (job creation),
then for the safety of our children.

Gregory Cochrane,

Orleans