KEEP STRIVING TOWARD A RATIONAL DRUG POLICY

Mike Males' "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" (Opinion, Sept. 15) gives
the dangerous and faulty impression that marijuana is no more harmful
for adolescents than for adults. The "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana
Facts" reference he provides for this statement is 5 years old. A
recent study revealed that people who begin smoking marijuana before
age 17 have smaller brains and less gray matter than those who start
smoking later in life. Data from adults show no differences in brain
structure between marijuana smokers and nonsmokers.

I'm all for the rights of adolescents, but some activities are best
begun later in life. We don't give chainsaws to 5-year-olds. We don't
let 12-year-olds drive cars. Marijuana simply is not for children.

Mitchell Earleywine, Los Angeles