THE LAST WORD ABOUT MARIJUANA LAW

I am a 74-year-old nonsmoker, nondrinker of alcoholic beverages and nonuser
of any so-called recreational drugs. I predict state constituents will
prevail over the federal government and have the last word about marijuana law.

A few years ago, Californians, by 56 percent of the vote, passed
Proposition 215, legalizing the medical use of marijuana. Now, Nevadans are
proposing a ballot initiative making "small amounts of the drug acceptable
for recreational use" ("Nevadans to vote on legalizing marijuana," Aug.
20). This proposes a further challenge to the antidrug czars that are
already up in arms. As they hop onto their treadmills and race into severe
headwinds to counteract the will of the people, I predict that they will
inherit the same fate as Prohibition.

Aside from its alleged medicinal value, marijuana has other superseding
values. It provides millions of confused souls the opportunity to enter the
outer world of euphoria, which they enjoy. It produces billions of dollars
in profits, and according to the book "Dope, Inc.," Chapter 3: "Marijuana
is now the nation's major crop." In this capitalistic economy the laws of
supply and demand must and will prevail. Marijuana will be with us
eternally and will be legalized.

- - Clarence J. Gentry, Rio Linda