Ann Landers
P.O. Box 11562
Chicago, IL, 606110562

Lifestyle

Wednesday, March 26, 1997

Pleas to legalize marijuana make her boil

Dear Ann Landers: I was interested in the letters from readers who want to
decriminalize marijuana. How nice it would be, they said, if we would just
make the wacky weed legal: People would be free of tension, and the world
would be a better place. I am glad you didn't agree with them.

Studies show that marijuana is stronger than it used to be. Even 20 years
ago, that ``harmless'' stuff helped transform a lovely, brightspirited
teenage family friend into a manicdepressive, frightened girl who wound up
not knowing who or where she was.

My exhusband tried pot when he was 10 it was given to him by his
12yearold sister, no less. I married him 20 years later, believing him
when he told me he would never touch it again. I was wrong. I couldn't
figure out why we never had any money, even though we both worked. I found
out the answer when I caught him sniffing cocaine in the garage. Soon
after, when I discovered 15 marijuana plants growing in our yard, I left
him. I knew he'd rather give me up than get rid of the stuff.

Don't tell the relatives of those who were killed by someone driving under
the influence of drugs that marijuana is harmless. Don't tell the teachers
whose lethargic students are blowing their minds on the stuff and flunking
out of school that they will give it up when the novelty wears off. Don't
tell parents crying over their dead children who threw their lives away on
drugs that the dangers of pot have been exaggerated.

Don't tell suicide hotline workers that their data is wrong about most
suicides being drug and alcohol related. It is a known fact that many who
smoke pot graduate to harder stuff like cocaine, speed and LSD.

My message to those who think marijuana is harmless is this: Get out from
under the cloud you're in, and wake up and smell the coffee. Hearing people
say we should legalize pot makes me boil. Jersey Shore, Pa.

Dear J.S., Pa.: Thank you for the voice of truth. I am in favor of
decriminalization (decreasing penalties for possession) and medicinal use,
but not legalization. I took that position years ago and have stayed with it.

___ ___ _ _ _ _