Marihuana and Alcohol

To the Editor:— During the past two years a flood of material, both in the medical literature and in the lay press, has related to the use and effects of marihuana. On analysis and reflection, I have been astounded to note that virtually every deleterious effect ascribed to marihuana is also produced by alcohol. Conversely, there are many serious effects resulting from the short-term or long-term use of alcohol which are not produced by marihuana; specifically, liver cirrhosis, gastritis, and profound brain damage. It is difficult to avoid the irony that the use of marihuana is a felony while the use of ethyl alcohol is often a social grace. If one is inclined to reduce the use of marihuana from a felony to a misdemeanor, it is only just to consider use of alcohol a similar minor criminal offense. Following the 14th annual conference of mental health representatives of state