MARIJUANA SCAPEGOATED

Most drugs have side effects, but to claim that marijuana is more
harmful than tobacco depends on how much of each is inhaled ("New
pot law blamed as violence escalates," Nov. 15). Nobody smokes
cigarettes for medical reasons, but marijuana may be recommended by
doctors to those on chemotherapy or suffering with HIV. Legalization
is meant to reduce the number of drug pushers and gang murders, to
increase state revenues and to help chronically ill patients.
Prohibition won't prevent substance abuse. My uncle, aunt and cousin
died from respiratory illnesses from smoking tobacco, not weed.

Joseph Young