Dear Governor Johnson:

I heard about the public comments you made recently regarding the need
to further public discussion about the legalization of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin. I want to thank you for having the courage to express openly and honestly the hypocrisy of the current War on Drugs.

I do not suggest that people should go out and smoke marijuana or abuse other substances -- including alcohol and tobacco products. Yet, I believe people are
at greater risk today of being harmed in the feud between gangsters and law
enforcement personnel than we are from someone smoking a joint.

I believe you said our country spends about $50 billion a year trying to
stop the crime associated with the flow and distribution of illegal drugs. I
believe we should legalize marijuana, cocaine and heroin and use some of the
money on education programs and research activites to study the effects (if
any. I feel this would do more to reduce the problem -- if there really
is a problem.

I encourage you to continue your efforts "To Just Say Know." There are some
complex issues associated with the current drug policy, but we can only resolve
these tough questions through honest and open public discussion.

I thank you for your courage to stand up and speak where others are afraid.
Please let me know what I can do to support your efforts.

Sincerely,