Pubdate: Thu, 03 Dec 2009 Source: Boulder Weekly (CO) Copyright: 2009 Boulder Weekly Contact: http://www.boulderweekly.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/57 Author: Kirk Muse Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1071/a04.html LEGALIZE MARIJUANA I'm writing about Robert Sharpe's thoughtful letter, "Jail is not a pot deterrent" (Letters, Nov. 26). According to a recent Rasmussen poll, 44 percent of adults believe that pot is just as dangerous as, or more dangerous than, alcohol (http://tinyurl.com/lqmqqz). Until this false belief can be changed, marijuana will probably remain a criminalized substance. The fact is, marijuana is an extremely safe product. (No reported deaths in the 5,000-year history of its use.) People consume marijuana for the same reasons they consume alcohol. Why not offer adults the much safer alternative to alcohol? Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D