Pubdate: Sun, 10 Sep 2000
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2000 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4066
Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Forum: http://www.chicagotribune.com/interact/boards/
Author: Associated Press

MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL, NADER URGES

SANTA FE, N.M. Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader on Friday 
advocated the legalization of marijuana as part of an overhaul of the 
nation's "self-defeating and antiquated drug laws."

Nader joined with New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican, in 
criticizing the nation's "war on drugs" as a failed policy for fighting 
drug use.

"Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as a 
health problem," Nader said.

"We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country. We do not send nicotine 
users to jail in this country. Over 500,000 people are in our jails who are 
non-violent drug users."

Nader, like Johnson, supports lifting criminal sanctions for marijuana 
possession. For other drugs, such as heroin, he advocated "harm reduction" 
programs, such as methadone maintenance and needle exchanges, that focus on 
treatment of addiction and prevention of health problems from drug use.

Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush oppose legalizing marijuana, 
according to their campaign aides.
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