RE “REEFER madness” by Lawrence Harmon (Op-ed, Oct. 13): Yes, legalization of medical marijuana is probably an early step toward legalization. And it’s about time.

Is marijuana harmless? No. But the pertinent question to ask is whether it is more dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes, which are both legal. I believe it is not, and I find arguments to the contrary unconvincing. Thousands of lives are ruined by abuse of alcohol and tobacco, but we have decided as a society that these are tolerable risks.