Letter: Marijuana: Any amount is illegal

Wednesday, April 9, 2003 | 9:02 a.m.

I am appalled and amazed at the legislation, Assembly Bill 362, proposed by Chris Giunchigliani that attempts to raise the level of marijuana ingestion before it can be used to determine whether or not a person is impaired.

Giunchigliani attempts to justify her position by stating that higher levels are a better indication of whether someone is impaired while driving. According to an Associated Press story, she goes on to say that the purpose of the bill is to get to the driver who is impaired and not just the "casual user" of marijuana.

Giunchigliani, a former educator, must surely realize that any use of marijuana is illegal, and the "casual user" is breaking the law just the same as any person who is more impaired.

By proposing this legislation, she is condoning the use of marijuana, and is voicing her opinion that it is OK to break the law. As a former educator, she should be trying to uphold the law and be a good mentor for students -- not suggest to them that "casual use" of marijuana is acceptable. Providing she returns to education after her political disservice is over, I don't want her teaching my grandchildren.

I sincerely hope that the more astute legislators vote against her bill, just as the district attorneys and law enforcement officers have advocated.

GLEN GILLETTE