Pubdate: Fri, 01 Dec 2000 Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM) Copyright: 2000 The Santa Fe New Mexican Contact: 202 E Marcy, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Fax: (505) 986-3040 Feedback: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/letterstoeditor/submitform.las Website: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/ Author: Mark Hummels 'PLAYBOY' CLARIFIES JOHNSON'S DRUG REMARKS At the urging of Gov. Gary Johnson's office, Playboy magazine issued a correction of sorts Thursday with a press release clarifying a headline from a previous press release. The "Entertainment for Men" monthly features an interview with Johnson in its January issue, scheduled to hit newsstands on Monday. Johnson expounds on his views about legalizing drugs in the interview, which was conducted in May. Johnson's press spokeswoman Diane Kinderwater took issue with a headline on a Playboy release that stated "Outspoken Republican calls for legalization of drugs 'across the board.' " Johnson wants to legalize marijuana, Kinderwater told The New Mexican, but he advocates only "harm reduction" strategies for dealing with other illegal drugs. The position marks a withdrawal from a broader pro-legalization stance sometimes argued by the Republican governor. In its press release Thursday, Playboy includes a quote from Johnson to "clarify" where the "across the board" comment originated. Johnson is asked if he believes all drugs should be legal. "If we legalized all drugs across the board, we would have a better situation than we have today," Johnson replied. "If all illicit drugs were available over the counter, things would be better. But that's not what I'm advocating. I think that we should start with certain drugs, based on existing models. "There are models that exist for the legalization of heroin. There is a model when it comes to marijuana. There isn't a model for cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD, and so on. I am not advocating legalization, but I do think we should look into it." Kinderwater said Johnson won't decide whether to push a pro-legalization bill for marijuana at the Legislature next year until he receives recommendations from a private advisory group he has formed to consider drug policies. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth