Re: the column by Richard Kerr, ("Marijuana legalization arguments are not valid," Jan. 17 column). I doubt Mr. Kerr has any experience with cigarettes, beer or marijuana.

According to him "a case of beer would impair reasoning and other mental functions, but some would remain unaffected." I know of no person that would not be affected by consuming an entire case of beer. That is a ridiculous, absurd comment. And how does Mr. Kerr know how a single cigarette-sized joint would affect anyone. Marijuana affects each person differently.

He has no basis for his remarks and I would suggest some "hands-on" research on his part before he makes any more ludicrous remarks on a subject he obviously knows little about.

In closing, I will ask Mr. Kerr one question: How many deaths have resulted from marijuana use compared to the number of deaths caused by the consumption of cigarettes and/or alcohol?

That's what I thought.