MARIJUANA APPEAL WAS 'NONSENSE'

So Loretta Nall ("Prohibition sends the wrong message," May 15), president
of the Alabama Marijuana Party, wants "sensible debate over legalizing and
regulating the use of marijuana." Then let her provide support for her side
in the form of arguments that make sense.

It is nonsense to think, as she does, that underage kids who now get
alcohol and tobacco without IDs will suddenly begin to follow regulations
aimed at restricting their access to marijuana.

It is nonsense to think, as she does, that delinquent parents who
apparently do not care what their children do now will suddenly assume
leadership in their homes and keep their kids away from legalized drugs. It
is nonsense to think, as she does, that legalization will eliminate crime
and violence when there is now a black market for legal but controlled
narcotics and dealers of those substances "shoot it out" in the streets.

It is nonsense to think, as she does, that children who rebel against laws
prohibiting the use of marijuana will submit meekly to regulations
controlling access to that drug.

CECIL TAYLOR, Satsuma