M.D. Harmon makes the argument that we should consider the possible costs of marijuana before legalizing it (“Before legalizing marijuana, Maine should consider the cost,” Oct. 10). He points out that people can become dependent on it, can develop psychotic symptoms, and may have impaired intellectual development.

However, it also makes sense to consider the current costs of marijuana (and other drugs) being illegal. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, about 50 percent of inmates in federal prisons are there for drug offenses. Over 25 percent of those inmates are there for marijuana-related offenses. Assuming a cost of $30,000 per year to feed and house a prisoner, the 98,000 inmates there on drug-related offenses cost us about $3 billion a year.

Adults serving criminal sentences cannot receive Pell Grants, making it less likely such people will improve themselves. People who have been arrested can face hurdles to employment, housing and loans. This can happen even if charges are eventually dropped.

If an adult who uses marijuana illegally harms anyone, it is usually just himself or herself. This puts such drug use on a par with scuba diving (which I enjoy), mountain climbing, and sky diving. lf we really want to save people from decisions that affect them alone, perhaps we should start incarcerating those who walk in New York’s Central Park. Otherwise, let people decide for themselves.

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