IT'S AGAINST THE LAW

Jonathan Zimmerman writes in "Stop Blowing Smoke at America's 'Pot
Problem'" [Viewpoints, Sept. 26] that millions of pot-smoking Americans are
fine persons. Arguing that smoking pot should be decriminalized is one
thing, but to praise Americans who currently use drugs is downright absurd.

Today, to possess and smoke marijuana is illegal. Pot smokers are thus
breaking the law, and that course of action should neither be praised nor
defended.

Zimmerman defends Darryl Kile, a confirmed drug user, because the late
Cardinals pitcher bought a suburban home in St. Louis to be with his kids.
Big deal. Loving your children doesn't excuse breaking the law, nor does
paying your taxes as Zimmerman suggests.

Certainly in some situations breaking the law is praiseworthy - running a
red light in order to get your gravely ill passenger to the hospital, or
misstating your age in order to enlist in the military when your country is
at war - but indulging in an illegal mind-altering drug is not.

What really irks me is that Zimmerman is purportedly an educator. What kind
of values is he trying to teach? Until legislators decide to decriminalize
the use of marijuana, advocating its use is tantamount to urging people to
break the law.

Christian M. Capece

West Hempstead