I find it puzzling that in Danny Schultz's letter to the editor warning of the dangers

in legalizing marijuana, he cites Russia, North Korea, and China as examples of

countries with similar drug laws to the US. I think using those nations as examples

lends even more credence to the legalization position. Russia and China

have large HIV epidemics that are largely fueled by injection drug use, which has

been driven underground because of its illegality. The spread of HIV is also

furthered by general unavailability of sterile needles, a problem compounded by

the laws. Not coincidently, the nations cited for their tough drug laws lack

freedom of speech, press and religion as well. In the Netherlands, a country similar

in political ideology to the US, liberal drug laws have not resulted in the societal

burden of drug abuse that plagues the US with its draconian laws.