Pubdate: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN) Contact: http://www.startribune.com/stonline/html/userguide/letform.html Copyright: (c) 1998 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. Website: http://www.startribune.com/ Inside Talk: Minnesota politics Author: Patricia Lopez Baden JESSE ON THE FRONT PAGES OF THE DRUG WAR In the closing weeks of the gubernatorial race, Reform Party nominee Jesse Ventura appears in a unique media outlet: the November issue of High Times magazine. High Times, for the uninitiated, focuses on aspects of the drug cultures, from smoking to growing. The cover story is "Up in Smoke, Bill Clinton Goes to Pot." Ventura merits a headline out front: "Jesse The Body Ventura Fights for Hemp." In a lengthy Q&A, Ventura discusses his candidacy, political philosophy, his careers as wrestler and talk-show host and his positions on hemp and marijuana. "I say tax the hell out of it," Ventura said. "I'm sure that people who smoke pot recreationally would prefer to pay high taxes on it rather than be considered criminals." Campaign adviser Dean Barkley said the interview is just one of dozens Ventura has done, with outlets from CBS to BBC and the Nation magazine. "I don't see this as a detriment," he said. "Jesse has some views on the drug war that are perfectly valid." - --- Checked-by: Don Beck