Pubdate: Mon, 10 Aug 2015 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2015 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Author: Dale Gieringer Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n432/a01.html UP IN SMOKE Regarding "Pot's hit on our water supply" (Insight, Aug. 2): While illegal pot growers are no doubt a problem in a few remote watersheds, it's ludicrous to scapegoat them for California's drought. Marijuana can be reasonably estimated to use at most 15,000 acre-feet of water in California, a literal drop in the bucket compared to the 35,000,000 water-feet spent yearly on agriculture. A single medical marijuana joint uses just one-half gallon of water, compared to 15 gallons or more for one glass of wine. If Californians want to save water, they should put away the bottle and light up a joint. Dale Gieringer, San Francisco - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom