CLEAR THE FUMES IN DAVIS

Re "Tobacco store has official fuming" (Our Region, March 23): Head
shops in Davis? Oh my! A threat to "the town's family-friendly
image"? Give me a break.

Davis has proudly celebrated itself as a world leader in the
development and promotion of highly addictive, actively dangerous,
intoxicating substances of abuse that cause great social harm at
tremendous social cost. I'm not talking about weed. I'm talking about wine.

As a university town, Davis is a virtual laboratory for demonstrating
the dangers of alcohol. None of the scientists at Davis can say, with
a straight face, that marijuana is more dangerous than merlot, or
that the abuse potential of cannabis is greater than that of
cabernet. Does a toke threaten health as much as Tokay? No.

So before going after the bud, they should get rid of the Bud Light.
The City Council should know that there are liquor stores in Davis,
and that even their grocery stores sell rum.

- - Paul Mattiuzzi, Sacramento