LEGALIZATION BAD IDEA

Dear Editor:

Recently, the moribund Senate issued a report that recommended legalizing
marijuana. One statement in the report said marijuana was less dangerous
than alcohol. That may be so. But is that any reason for legalizing a drug
that may only cause half the problems alcohol does?

It would mean more impaired drivers, causing more accidents. Because of an
increase in marijuana-impaired drivers, the highway patrol in California
has asked for a breathalyser type device to measure the degree of
impairment in spaced-out drivers they are stopping.

The senators want to allow 16-year-olds to be able to purchase it - and
they could supply their 12- and 13-year-old friends. Pity the teacher who
has to try to teach a bunch of spaced-out kids.

Not to mention the undesirables from the States who would be flooding
across the border to purchase cheap marijuana. Do we really want those
kinds of tourists?

They state that a person should not be burdened with a criminal record for
using marijuana. The stigma of a criminal record is the only thing that
keeps more people from trying marijuana. Other than medical use, there is
no need to add another mind-altering drug for which society will ultimately
have to bear the cost.

There was a recent radio interview with a doctor who stated a study has
shown that prolonged use of marijuana decreases a person's IQ. It would
appear that our Senate may have been sampling too much of the drug it wants
to legalize.

Michael White, Dartmouth