TRY REGULATING CIGARETTES

Thom Marshall certainly has a rosy view of the government's ability to
regulate its citizens (Jan. 26 column, "One governor against drug war").
Marshall quoted New Mexico Gov. Gary E. Johnson, who says if we legalize
drugs, we will be able to control them, tax them, etc. Johnson says it
should be changed to where it is illegal to use drugs if you are younger
than 21.

And even though it is illegal now to drink alcohol if you are under 21, go
to any high school and ask the students how difficult it is to get alcohol.
Ask middle school students how hard it is to buy cigarettes, even though
they are supposed to be 18 to be able to smoke.

While I don't disagree that some illegal drugs are less damaging than many
legal substances, the idea that the government could regulate any of them
is laughable.

Darron Davis, Houston