Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 Source: Seattle Times (WA) Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times Company Contact: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409 Author: Chris Waldorf BENEFITS OUTWEIGH COSTS Thank you for an excellent and thoroughly put case for legalizing marijuana ["Legalize marijuana," Opinion, Feb. 20]. The cost to society of making something illegal that packs the same punch as a beer or a caffeinated coffee has been astounding. Just as when alcohol was illegal, prohibiting the legal sale of marijuana has brought large amounts of violence and gang warfare, for starters. Sure it is a substance that has its downside, just as greasy French fries do, for that matter. As a society we need to weigh the trade-offs of having a substance be legal. In the case of marijuana, any costs are greatly outweighed by the benefits. - - Chris Waldorf, Seattle - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart