THE POWER OF AMERICAN BUSINESS

RE: DEC. 23 editorial. The Sun is far too fearful, and also somewhat naive,
to believe the U.S. will impede border traffic if Canada decriminalizes
marijuana. If there's anything that outweighs the drug warriors and their
morality concerns, it's the power of American business and its money. It's
beyond the reach of the drug enforcement agency to interfere with the
billions of dollars in cross-border trade that enrich Canadians and
Americans alike. For all their moralistic posturing, American politicians
are keenly attuned to the economy of their constituencies and vigorously
defend their businesses. Any attempt to cripple our own economy by
hindering trade with Canada because of your marijuana laws is sure to
boomerang into the drug warriors' faces. Already, large numbers of
Americans believe our government's position on marijuana is overkill, and
that the drug laws need to be revised.

Harry D. Fisher,

Woodland Hills, California

(The U.S. can still crack down on Canadians border-hopping on vacation.)