MARIJUANA USE

To the editor:

We tolerate responsible alcohol use. It is time to tolerate responsible
marijuana use. A TIME magazine poll showed that 72% oppose jailing
responsible marijuana users. (Will Drugs be tolerated? Nov. 10 2002).

The voters spoke very clearly on the legalizing marijuana initiatives. In
Nevada 39% voted to end prohibition of marijuana. In Arizona 43% voted to
end marijuana prohibition. There was no landslide 'against' legalization
and one year ago it was at only 28% for decriminalizing.

In Massachusetts Nineteen local advisory measures urging marijuana
decriminalization all have passed, most with overwhelming margins. A local
advisory measure supporting medical marijuana and another endorsing hemp
cultivation passed easily as well.

In Maryland, Medical marijuana supporter Bob Ehrlich was elected governor.
Good chance on a medical marijuana bill being passed in Maryland next year.

San Francisco voters passed Proposition S by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Placed
on the ballot by four members of the city Board of Supervisors after a wave
of federal raids on medical marijuana dispensaries, the measure asked
voters if the city should explore growing and distributing marijuana for
seriously ill patients. Now that voters have responded with a resounding
"YES," it will be up to the Board of Supervisors to implement that mandate.

Larry Seguin Lisbon, NY