Pubdate: Tue, 02 Sep 2003
Source: Capital City Weekly (AK)
Pubdate: September 2, 2003
Contact:  (907) 789-0987 Fax
Website: http://www.capweek.com

GOVERNOR CONCERNED ABOUT RE-LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

Governor Frank H. Murkowski reacted to today's decision of the Alaska court 
of appeals re-legalizing the use of marijuana in private homes by directing 
the Attorney General to review the case and make recommendations on how the 
state should proceed.

"I am very concerned about this, as are many Alaskans," Murkowski said.

"Substance abuse continues to have a devastating impact on the people of 
Alaska and on our communities," Murkowski said. "It is regrettable that the 
court of appeals has, in essence, rejected the will of the people of Alaska 
who re-criminalized the use of marijuana in a 1990 initiative.

"The flow of marijuana, along with alcohol and other drugs, continues into 
our rural villages. Coincidentally, I have just received a report from the 
Department of Public Safety regarding the interdiction of drugs and alcohol 
being sent through the mail to rural villages, and, unfortunately, the 
incidence remains very high. Substance abuse is causing great harm to our 
rural s ociety, specifically our young people.

"Alaskans who use marijuana should remember that its use or possession 
remains illegal under federal law," Murkowski said. "And parents who use 
marijuana should think about the example they set for their children."
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