LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

To the editor:

This is in response to Elizabeth Newhall's letter about not wanting
marijuana relegalized.

We don't have to wait for reports on the health effects of marijuana. We
have known for many years that smoking marijuana is, to quote former DEA
Administrative Law Judge Francis Young, "safer than many of the foods we
commonly consume."

Long-term studies done in Jamaica and Costa Rica have shown minimal health
hazards associated with the use of marijuana. Every study conducted with
proper scientific methods has shown marijuana to be safe.

I refer to studies going as far back as the 1890s Indian Hemp Commission
Report through the Army-Panama studies of the 1930s, the LaGuardia
Commission Report of 1944, the Shafer Commission of 1972, the Institute of
Medicine Report of 1999 and others.

Further, marijuana has a history of medical uses going into pre- history.

The beneficial effects of marijuana on glaucoma, cancer and diseases of the
musculo-skeletal systems are well documented. The benefits of hemp for
fuel, fiber, paper, food, building materials and several thousand other
uses are also well documented.

In terms of logic and science, the prohibition of cannabis/hemp/marijuana
just doesn't hold water.

Neal Smith

Board member, Indiana NORML