By DIANA THEOS

What's marijuana? What are some of the effects of the drug? What are the penalties for the possession of marijuana? Should marijuana be legalized?

These are questions which surely run through many people's minds concerning marijuana. The answer to the first one is not easy. One can say for sure what it is not. Marijuana is NOT a narcotic.

The federal law, however, falsely defines marijuana as such. The only possible addiction is psychological although it has been said that "it can possibly lead to stronger and harmful drugs."

The mental state of the user and quantity smoked or consumed determines the effect of the drug. The strength and form is also an important factor.

The symptoms are relaxation, sharpening of the senses, expansion of time, and the feeling of complete escape from all problems. An increase in appetite and pulse, dryness of the mouth and throat, and a sensation of heaviness.

The penalty for possession of more than 25 grains of this pseudo narcotic is 20 years. This happens to be the same minimum penalty for first degree murder.

Now the big question is next. Should marijuana be legalized? Many people say in five years it will be available in packs as cigarettes are now. Others say it will never be legalized and "thank God." Some students believe if it is legalized it will be safer, because only then it can it be regulated by the government. Still, some kids fear if it is legalized the whole country will become dope addicts.

I believe everyone should have the right to determine their futures and how they want to live them. When the rights of one person infringes on another's, the person's rights end.

Marijuana is not as detrimental as alcohol. Alcohol produces a stupor in which the senses are dulled, not sharpened. Not as many people can get sick on marijuana as on alcohol.

Alcoholism is a disease of people addicted to alcohol. There is no "marijuanism," because it is not physically addicting. During the prohibition period, alcohol was bootlegged and made in stills. This period was dangerous to anyone who consumed alcohol. Is this what is to happen with marijuana in the end? Will people die from contaminated and impure marijuana as they did from wood alcohol? I hope not.

I have given all the facts, the pros, the cons, and my opinion. It is every person's responsibility to make up his own mind about marijuana. Marijuana has not been proved harmful to one's health any more than smoking a cigarette. If it is not legalized, then at least the penalties for possessing it should be more lenient.