Overworked About An Ad on the Metro

The Washington Post
December 09, 2003, Tuesday, Final Edition

by Thomas L. Schwarz

If Rep. Ernest J. Istook Jr. (R-Okla.) was incensed about poverty, injustice and other important issues facing this country instead of grinding his teeth about an ad on Metro ["Marijuana Ad on Metro Infuriates Lawmaker," Metro, Dec. 3], the country and his constituents would be better off.

Further, his press secretary is wrong about Metro promoting an "illegal activity." The ad doesn't say to grow, sell, buy or use marijuana -- activities that would be illegal.

The ad asks people to lobby for legalization and taxation of marijuana, both processes that continue to be legal in the United States.