MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IS THE BEST SOLUTION

THE STORY "Hidden Danger in pot houses" (April 9) highlights the reasons
that marijuana legalization is the best solution to the problem. If
marijuana were available using the same model as alcohol (licensed and
regulated growers, controlled distribution, age verification before sale,
stiff penalties for driving under the influence, etc.) these dangerous
growing operations simply wouldn't exist. Instead, we'd have safe growing
of quality-controlled pot, available to those old enough to decide for
themselves which adulterant to use. And it could be heavily sin-taxed to
pay for the education and health programs that are virtually non-existent
now. After all, when's the last time anyone feared going blind from
drinking homemade gin or having the local bootlegger's backyard distillery
blow up? Oh, I remember ... it was during alcohol prohibition in the 1920s.
Apparently we didn't learn anything from that dismal failure.

Cedric Silvester

Peterborough

(Banning booze gave rise to the likes of Al Capone. Banning pot has given
rise to biker gangs)