MARIJUANA DIDN'T DESERVE READER'S HOSTILE COMMENT

In an Aug. 10 letter, "Marijuana not innocent as columnist claims," about
Kathleen Parker's Aug. 3 commentary, "Government's war on drugs," Sam
Hollis of Savannah recommended that Ms. Parker get her facts straight about
marijuana. I implore him to do the same.

He stated that marijuana is as addictive as tobacco; it is not. Studies
have shown it not to be physically addictive, nor does it cause powerful
hallucinations.

Mr. Hollis feels that marijuana is worse then heroin, which is ludicrous.
Heroin is a highly addictive opiate. It is possible to overdose on heroin,
while you cannot with marijuana.

You can smoke 10 joints of marijuana and the side effects would simply be
severe redeye and hunger. Comparing marijuana to heroin is on par with
comparing caffeine and alcohol. Both are drugs, but have entirely different
effects.

Mr. Hollis complained that marijuana impairs the ability of the user to
drive a car or operate machinery. I'd like him to check and see how many
car and labor accidents are a result of alcohol use, compared to the number
where marijuana was a factor.

He may find that he is directing his hostility toward the wrong drug.

ERIC CURL

Savannah