To the Editors of the Crimson:

I have just received a copy of the article in the Harvard Crimson on the hearings held before the Senate Criminal Justice Subcommittee to examine the health effects of marijuana. As you noted, the focus of the hearings was a narrow one--the physiological and psychological effects of marijuana, particularly on adolescents.

Generally speaking, I invited two groups of witnesses: medical scientists who have done research on the physiological effects of marijuana, and psychiatrists, teachers, and parents whose daily exposure to children who use the drug makes them experts on the psychological effects of marijuana. In your article, you quote a spokeswoman from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), who thought the parents and teachers were not qualified to testify at the hearings. In light of the evidence presented that indicates that the use of marijuana causes an "amotivational syndrome," I thought it appropriate for parents and teachers to testify on the effects of marijuana use on behavior at home and at school.

You also mention complaints of "irregularities in the witness selection process." As soon as I decided to hold these hearings, my staff contacted several groups, including NORML, and asked for their recommendations for witnesses. NORML recommended four witnesses from its advisory board: Doctors Whipple, Grinspoon, Zinberg, and Ungerleider. We invited all of these experts to testify, and each of them in fact did testify. I think it is important to note that each of them stated that marijuana use is indeed injurious to health.

I expect the far different issue of decriminalization to be taken up in the near future. At that time, I hope that the Judiciary Committee will hear witnesses on this issue. Many interested groups, including NORML and the American Council on Marijuana (which strongly opposes decriminalization), both of whom wanted to testify at the earlier hearings, will have their opportunity to do so at that time. Charles C. McMathias, Jr.   United States Senator