Pubdate: Wed, 08 Sep 2004 Source: Hill, The (US DC) Copyright: 2004 The Hill Contact: http://www.hillnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1509 Author: Ralph Averill Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1253/a04.html LEGAL MARIJUANA In re the story about George Soros's response to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's backhanded allegations that Soros may be connected to drug cartels because of Soros's promotion of marijuana legalization efforts ("No knockdowns yet in Soros vs. Hastert," Sept. 1): The allegations that Soros may be connected to drug cartels because of his championing marijuana-legalization efforts could not possibly be true. The last thing marijuana growers want is legalization. The last thing cocaine and heroin cartels want is legalization. If drugs are legal, the huge profits are eliminated. Marijuana in particular is so easy to grow, if it were legal you couldn't give it away. Mr. Hastert's allegations are yet another example of the Republicans' tactic of assassinating the character of those who disagree with them and those who work to promote a different agenda than theirs. Ralph Averill New Preston, Conn. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake