RESEARCH, RACE, AND MORE RESEARCH

If you are going to report on the issue of marijuana's potential
addictiveness ("Studies Show Marijuana may be Addictive," Feb. 15),
at least give all the facts. The article states "scientists at the
National Institute on Drug Abuse found monkeys would voluntarily give
themselves THC in amounts similar to those inhaled by people who
smoke marijuana. Self-administration of drugs by animals is perceived
to be a trademark of addictive substances."

The truth is the only way the NIDA scientists could get monkeys to
self-administrate THC was to get them seriously addicted to cocaine
first. The monkeys were going through cocaine withdrawal. Is it any
wonder that an animal going through cocaine withdrawal would want
another drug to alleviate the suffering?

Clifford A. Schaffer, Director, DRCNet Online Library of Drug Policy

Canyon Country, CA ----- This evening, City Council will debate and
vote on renewal of the controversial Anti-Loitering Ordinance it
passed some years back. This ordinance allows police to search and
harass people hanging out in a "known drug area" or speaking with
"known drug users or dealers."

Sounds pretty draconian, right? It gets worse. As you might suspect,
"known drug areas" are black neighborhoods, and "known drug users or
dealers" tend to be black people. In this city, which is over 90
percent white, 90 percent of the victims of this ordinance have been
people of color.

When asked to explain the disparate impact of the ordinance, Police
Chief Dick Williams said, "Frankly, I don't know of any white drug
dealers in Madison."

Frankly, that's one of the most racist things I've heard since coming
to school here, and it is that very mindset which explains why being
black is still a crime in our great city.

Austin King, UW junior

I challenge the "scientific study" showing marijuana's addictive
properties ("Studies Show Marijuana may be Addictive," Feb. 15). All
of the other studies I have seen, including the 1972 Shaffer
Commission and the 1998 IOM report, do not support the claim that
marijuana is addictive. Furthermore, the "symptoms" described in the
article above are not necessarily those of addiction. For instance,
"loss of appetite" after the cessation of marijuana consumption notes
merely the absence of the substance's appetite-stimulating effects.

I would suggest that responsible publications cite names of studies
and possible links to evidence. This is an old, refuted legend that
keeps appearing in "studies" that quickly are shown to be lacking in
evidence and/or scientific method. May I suggest as well that those
reading the Herald also take a look at a book entitled, Marijuana
Myths Marijuana Facts: A Review Of The Scientific Evidence (Lynn
Zimmer, John P. Morgan; Paperback).

This issue is far too important and controversial for people to ignore.

Ray Carlson, Redwood City, CA