Letter: Outsider rips pot proponents

Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Admittedly, I am not a resident of your state. However, legalizing a drug that alters people's judgment, impairs their abilities, and can cause long-term effects ranging from sterility to permanent memory loss makes little sense. Many argue that its effects are no different than those of alcohol, and alcohol is legal. What sense does that make? Controlling people's use or abuse of alcohol often challenges society, so let's give them another potentially dangerous substance and see how they handle it?

That said, I wish Nevada good luck in making this decision. The review of the material I have seen does not seem to show references to any of the following: When is a person considered legally impaired by marijuana? Alcohol has set levels. How will police test a driver considered under the influence? How will repeat offenders be dealt with? What about children and contact highs. What is the control over their exposure when selling marijuana in coffee shops? What is the acceptable length of time from when one uses marijuana until they can drive a public bus, fly a plane, and operate on a patient?

Good luck, Nevada.

DAVID BAHLER Miami