Pubdate: Thu, 15 Sep 2005
Source: New Times (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Copyright: 2005 New Times Media Group
Contact:  http://www.newtimesslo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1277
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n954/a02.html

POT 'GATEWAY' IS DUE TO DEALERS, NOT POT

I'm writing about Robert Sharpe's outstanding letter, "Reefer Madness
revisited?" (June 9-16):

If health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms,
coffee would be illegal but marijuana would be legal. If we drink 65
cups of coffee in a single day, we have a 50 percent chance of dying
as a result.

On the other hand, if we smoke the world's most potent pot all day
long, the worst effect would be a severe case of the munchies.
(Actually, the worst effect would be getting arrested and thrown in
jail with violent criminals).

I'd like to add that I have never seen heroin, cocaine, LSD, or
methamphetamine. However, I was offered free samples of these
dangerous drugs on several occasions by my marijuana suppliers when I
was a user of marijuana, which is more than 15 years ago.

Like the vast majority of marijuana users, I was only interested in
marijuana and no other illegal drugs.

Fortunately, I turned down all offers of free samples of other drugs.
Unfortunately, many others do not - thus the gateway effect.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake