Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2014
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2014 Howard Tamler
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Howard Tamler
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n016/a02.html
Note: Fifth of five

IS LEGALIZING MARIJUANA A BAD THING?

To the Editor:

David Brooks ("Weed: Been There. Done That," column, Jan. 3) argues
gently that marijuana should remain illegal.

However, his arguments - that it's addictive, impairs cognitive
processes such as driving and speaking, facilitates stupid and
irresponsible behavior, leads to wasted lives - apply more to alcohol
than to marijuana, and only with excessive use of either drug.

More generally, Mr. Brooks suggests a hierarchy of pleasures, with
marijuana being quite low on the scale, versus the higher
satisfactions of the arts, learning, being in nature, falling in love
and so on. This misconstrues marijuana use as an end in itself, on a
par with the arts, rather than as a stimulant that can immeasurably
enhance many of these higher pleasures.

He also claims that legalization encourages marijuana use, and thinks
that government should aim higher than that. But the Declaration of
Independence classifies liberty and the pursuit of happiness as
fundamental rights.

Hence, the legalization of marijuana derives from one of our core
values, affirming everyone's rights in the most private sphere, where
we choose what to ingest and how to experience our personal time.

HOWARD TAMLER

Palo Alto, Calif., Jan. 5, 2014  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D