LONG-HELD BELIEFS ABOUT MARIJUANA SHOULDN'T BE IGNORED

The recent article regarding a local delegate's support of a marijuana bill
("Weldon signs on to marijuana bill," Jan. 30) does not address the
plethora of existing research on the topic. The statement of developing a
law by using, "speculation," that something might be helpful, is a strange
approach to law making.

An Internet search on marijuana brings hundreds of pieces of information,
already showing the inconclusive nature of what is appropriate and for
whom. More importantly, what is not addressed by the delegate is the
concomitant moral-issues debate that must be included in any decision which
changes the long-held beliefs of society. The saddest of cases we may
witness is not a reason to make bad law.

A long-held tenet is: No law is better than bad law. It is my expectation
that delegates will thoroughly investigate the best thinking available and
then discuss it with the public prior to implementing such drastic change.

PAUL GARRETT

Frederick