'GATEWAY' THEORY OF MARIJUANA UNTRUE

The recent statements made by Farmington Hills Police Chief William
Dwyer and Sheriff Michael Bouchard in The Oakland Press regarding
marijuana are, like many pot smokers, completely wasted.

The "gateway" theory - that it will lead to harder drugs - is a tired,
old argument. It was soundly refuted in a study completed in December
of 2002 by RAND, a nonprofit research institution created by the U.S.
military.

While today's pot is stronger than that of a few decades ago, the
increase is hardly dramatic. Not one single fatal marijuana overdose
has ever been recorded in human history.

Alcohol, and even aspirin, can't boast that claim.

Donna Paridee

New Baltimore

(Editor's note: Paridee is the communications director for the
Michigan chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws.)