POT ALREADY DECRIMINALIZED

Regarding your Oct. 19 editorial "Bullying tactics at U.S. border won't
help": Canadian officials should advise U.S. drug czar John P. Walters to
gather up his forces and cordon off the state of New York, because in New
York, marijuana has been decriminalized for many years: the penalty for
getting caught with a joint is similar to a traffic ticket.

And while they're at it, they are going to need a plan to deal with Alaska,
California, Colorado, Nebraska, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio and
Oregon -- states that have also decriminalized marijuana.

The fact is 10 states have decriminalized marijuana with no apparent ill
affects. Reason dictates that it's a reasonable plan for the U.S. to follow
Canada's lead.

Walter F. Wouk

Director

The Thomas Paine Project

Cobleskill, N.Y.