A presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, admitted to smoking marijuana, even inhaled, and it brought her joy (“Marijuana brings joy, which is no business of legislators,” Star-Advertiser, Jacob Sullum, Feb. 16).

The concept of feeling joy by inhaling a substance proves how out of touch with modernity I am.

In our day, joy was peace experienced at family gatherings, a smile from my wife, hugging a child after time apart, watching a sunrise, comfort from Scripture and a divine love. We never would have considered feeling euphoria, or brighter colors from smoking a joint, as joy.

For this reason, I have concerns over the bill to legalize marijuana (“Bill to legalize cannabis in Hawaii passes state Senate committee,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 7). My concern may be misplaced; after all, our leaders assure us they will manage recreational use.

Jim McDiarmid

Mililani

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