Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Copyright: 2002 Cox Interactive Media. Contact: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28 Author: Claire Galloway MARIJUANA, USERS POSE NO THREAT Thank you for the column on legalizing pot ("Here's the dope on why pot should be legal," Sept. 18). It is about time we get past the misconception that marijuana is an addictive gateway drug and so should be illegal. Marijuana just does not stand up when compared with our actual addictive, and most important, legal, drugs: cigarettes and alcohol. Why don't the feds want to get it? Get the nonviolent drug offenders out of our overcrowded prisons, put our tax money to use for what it was intended. Focus on getting criminals who really are a threat to the community at large off the streets and into treatment programs. CLAIRE GALLOWAY, Sugar Hill - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D