THE STRAIGHT DOPE

The letter in response to the story on medical marijuana (The Mail, March
3; "Grass Roots," March 27,) makes several valid points. There are
additional key reasons why prohibitionists insist on not allowing
medical-marijuana laws to be passed.

If the federal government lets states allow legal access to medical
marijuana for an extended period, three realities will emerge after just a
few years of patient analysis: Medical marijuana patients will not move on
to use more dangerous illicit drugs, thus proving the "gateway theory" to
be the myth that most researchers already recognize it as. Patients will
not rob or commit other crimes to fund their "habit," nor will they sell
marijuana to our children--both common concerns expressed as reasons to
oppose legal and regulated access to marijuana for adults. And finally,
those patients not fully crippled by their illnesses will lead full and
productive lives while including marijuana as part of their regular regimen.

Marijuana use has risks, as does all drug use. However, in comparison to
heavy-duty and addictive narcotics, or to alcohol, it is far less
dangerous. Therefore, there is no rational reason to arrest adults who use
it responsibly.

Stephen Heath

Public Relations Director, Drug Policy Forum of Florida

Clearwater, Fla.