Pubdate: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2005 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Leigh Perschon Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n2010/a03.html IN DEFENSE OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN COLO. Re: "Grass roots; 58,866 Denver residents voted to legalize pot - among them, these moms," Dec. 27 Scene story. I find the mothers in the story about pot smoking self-centered and irresponsible. Especially the mother who is a psychologist. In her profession, she must have dealt with drug abuse. If any of these mothers need to unwind after a hard day, there are a dozen ways to do it without getting stoned. The local paper here in the Grand Valley just ran a three-part series about juvenile crime and violence. There were stories about young people who started smoking marijuana after seeing their parents doing it. It can lead to the use of other drugs and to a young person becoming involved in crime. The mothers in The Post's story need to put down their marijuana pipes and be good role models for their children and teach them the dangers of smoking marijuana. Leigh Perschon, Grand Junction - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom