It utterly amazes me that so much of the American public actually believes that marijuana is some horrible scourge on our population. The thing that strikes me most is that alcohol is legal and completely acceptable, but marijuana is not. Even an irresponsible alcohol user is generally looked upon more favorably than a perfectly responsible marijuana user.

How many people have died from a marijuana overdose throughout all of human history? Zero. It is physically impossible to kill yourself by smoking too much weed. Alcohol overdoses kill about 4,000 people each year. These are just straight alcohol overdose deaths. Another 17,000 people die yearly from alcohol- related traffic accidents. It is absolutely ludicrous to even suggest this, yet very few people believe that alcohol should be criminalized.

The measures proposed in Nevada would significantly reduce the dangers of marijuana. Potency and purity would be regulated, crime associated with marijuana dealers would be eliminated, and it would be much more difficult for minors to obtain.

If the public could look past government scare tactics and see the real facts, anyone with any intelligence would agree that the current laws regarding marijuana are ridiculous.

Jennifer Bliek

Sophomore

Biology