DRUG WAR FANTASIES

Re " 'Reefer Madness,' the sequel: The drug czar's odd ideas," Other Views,
May 25: The Office of National Drug Control Policy's use of tax dollars to
spread lies and maintain a counterproductive policy based on the fantasies
of anti-drug warriors is disturbing.

Five percent of Drug Czar John Walters' dribble is accurate. His claim that
many of those who support the legalization of marijuana for medical
purposes have an agenda beyond just the legalization for medicine is
probably true in many instances.

I myself freely admit to having such an agenda. Prohibition of recreational
drug use causes more harm than good. Most of the crime associated with drug
use is a product of prohibition, not the drugs themselves.

However, having an agenda beyond the legalization of marijuana for medical
uses does not negate the need to make marijuana available for seriously ill
patients.

- - Sharyn Lais, Carmichael