ARGUMENT GOES TO POT

The letter from Stephen J. Barringer entitled "Pot reconsidered" (May
3) is a classic example of attempts to distort science through
selective presentation. At issue is the relative danger of marijuana
when compared to other drugs of potential abuse.

Barringer stressed: "Research published in the medical journal The
Lancet... shows cannabis to be more dangerous than LSD or ecstasy." A
more accurate statement would have also said that research published
in The Lancet shows cannabis to be less dangerous than cigarettes and
much less dangerous than alcohol. (Also, there were two independent
panels involved and one ranked ecstasy as more dangerous than marijuana.)

Not mentioned is the fact that The Lancet (arguably the world's
leading medical journal for a century) has called for the legalization
of marijuana since 1995: "Sooner or later politicians will have to
stop running scared and address the evidence: cannabis per se is not a
hazard to society but driving it further underground may well be." The
Lancet is well aware of the recent claims (grossly exaggerated) and
has not changed its ultimate conclusion.

Most important is the fact that making a drug illegal increases its
danger, hampers productive research, prevention and treatment, does
not significantly alter its use, and does an enormous amount of damage
by creating illicit drug markets - marijuana being their biggest
seller and their bridge to offer other illicit drugs to consumers -
that bring crime, violence and corruption on a massive scale.

Jerry Epstein