Pubdate: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 Source: Time Magazine (US) Page: 10 Copyright: 2002 Time Inc Contact: http://www.time.com/time/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/451 Author: Benjamin L. Moan Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1995/a07.html IS AMERICA GOING TO POT? The claim that marijuana is a gateway drug is true for one reason: to buy pot, one must rely on an illegal-drug dealer. This dealer probably has connections to other illegal substances like cocaine and heroin. Legalize pot, and the connections will be severed. The government is wasting too much money fighting a drug that at best has medicinal value and at worst is not all that dangerous. The war on drugs would gain credibility if pot weren't enemy No. 1. BENJAMIN L. MOAN, Flagstaff, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake