Pubdate: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 Source: Associated Press (Wire) Copyright: 2003 Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE SAYS HE SMOKED POT TWICE IN COLLEGE SPRINGFIELD, IL: Add Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Rauschenberger to the list of politicians who say they've tried marijuana. The state senator from Elgin acknowledged Wednesday at a Statehouse news conference that he twice smoked the illegal drug while he was a student at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Rauschenberger says he didn't enjoy it and didn't do it again, but he does think he inhaled. "I was a cigarette smoker at the time," Rauschenberger said. "I'm certain I had that reflex." Rauschenberger announced Tuesday he is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Peter Fitzgerald next year. Rauschenberger has served in the state Senate since 1993 and is the budget negotiator for Republicans in that chamber. He says his legislative experience makes him a strong candidate and any mistakes he's made as a person - including a 1994 drunken driving conviction - - shouldn't prevent him seeking the office. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh