In an Oct. 13 letter, Kirk Muse wrote, "Marijuana use never has caused a death." This is incorrect. Marijuana is a potent carcinogen, worse because it is inhaled deeply and held in the lungs for maximum exposure, which is why Great Britain has started tracking deaths caused by lung cancer from marijuana.

Traffic accidents and deaths involving drivers high on pot or residual effects fall into the "under the influence" category. Is marijuana no worse than than alcohol? Maybe, but alcoholism isn't a minor problem.

VICKI SMALL

[end]