Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2011 Source: Seattle Times (WA) Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times Company Contact: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409 Author: Jim Morris POT JUST 'ANOTHER PROBLEM' Editor, The Times: The state of Washington, with some of its citizens attempting to legalize marijuana, is digging a hole deeper into the criminal abyss ["McKay joins push to make pot legal," page one, June 22]. It is as if they want the state to give up on the control of illegal drugs to the point of joining the dark side. Marijuana may seem mundane to many, but like any drug, legal or illegal, it has side effects that lead to mental illness and diseases the taxpayer ends up responsible for. Making it legal due to economics is like using a "patch" instead of fixing the problem outright. Adding another mind-altering or painkilling drug to the mix of legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, sends the message that more responsibility must be placed on the police and courts to control their use. Yet, the American Civil Liberties Union's lawyers want to limit that very function. I have to take a stand against The Seattle Times and its backing of legalizing marijuana, in light of the legal system's needs to protect the people of this state. Alcohol, tobacco and drug treatment is not free. Let's not add to that cost by legalizing yet another problem. Jim Morris Renton - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.