Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2014
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The New York Times Company
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Peter M. Schwartz
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n014/a08.html
Note: First of five

\IS LEGALIZING MARIJUANA A BAD THING?

To the Editor:

Re "New York State Is Set to Loosen Marijuana Laws" (front page, Jan.
5):

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's plan to seek the easing of the law to provide
for the limited use of marijuana for medical purposes is a step in the
right direction, but a more rational approach would be to follow
Colorado's lead and decriminalize its use altogether.

I do not use marijuana or have any desire to do so. However, I do
imbibe alcohol, a far more invidious and destructive substance. The
prohibition against the use of marijuana makes no more sense than the
prohibition of alcohol use did almost a century ago.

PETER M. SCHWARTZ

Bethel, Conn., Jan. 5, 2014  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D