Yours is an enlightened view which is supported by a multitude of well documented facts. But the major impediment to legalized marijuana is corruption, occurring in varying degrees and at many levels.

First, consider the fact that if pot were legalized today there would be thousands of lawyers chasing ambulances down every Main Street in America tomorrow.

Thousands of law enforcement officials, from cops and prison guards to court personnel, probation and parole officers and judges would suddenly become redundant.

The liquor industry, an extremely powerful lobby, would be devastated once the drinking public realized that marijuana produces a much more satisfying effect than alcohol with absolutely none of the destructive effects.

At the most insidious level are corrupt law enforcement and other public officials, probably at the highest levels of government, who derive an enormous amount of graft from the marijuana industry, which is more profitable than the oil and automotive industries combined: Ordinary street cops are in a position to "confiscate" literally seabags and cardboard boxes full of cash from street level dealers, so one may imagine how many attache cases full of cash change hands in Washington.

But in spite of my cynicism it is encouraging to find intelligent letters like yours on the Web.

Regards,
Mike Kessler