Pondering Pot 

Editor:

In his always excellent reporting, Ryan Burns ("Weed Killers," Nov. 14) might have included deer and elk in his discussion of animals affected by outlaw grows, especially since they are often directly in the human food chain. Not only might they incidentally ingest many of the toxins involved, but they might actually like marijuana and be ingesting it directly — a point worth exploring.

Another concern that needs discussing is the daunting costs of cleanup. We know that policing this non-problem is costing taxpayers billions of dollars better spent elsewhere. We also need to factor in the costs of using National Guard soldiers and helicopters. People need to realize that even if they don't smoke the wonder weed, it is still costing them many billions of dollars in direct and indirect costs.

Larry Hourany, McKinleyville