Pubdate: Wed, 03 Nov 1999 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 1999 Albuquerque Journal Contact: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Author: Loie Fecteau, Journal Capitol Bureau Cited: The New Mexico Drug Policy Foundation: http://www.newmexicodrugpolicy.org/ Common Sense for Drug Policy http://www.csdp.org/ The Lindesmith Center http://www.lindesmith.org/ GOV.: POT SAFER THAN ALCOHOL, TOBACCO Gov. Gary Johnson said Tuesday he believes fewer people would abuse alcohol or tobacco if marijuana were legalized. "Marijuana would be a safer alternative to alcohol or tobacco," Johnson said during a nearly three-hour forum on the nation's drug policies at the Albuquerque Crowne Plaza Pyramid Hotel. "I'm saying that without the benefit of medical research, but I do believe that would be borne out." About 200 people attended the forum organized and paid for by the nonprofit New Mexico Drug Policy Foundation, headed by Albuquerque lawyer Steve Bunch. All of the panelists spoke against the nation's drug policies. Johnson has sparked intense criticism from law enforcement officials and some fellow Republicans for advocating drug legalization. But he received rousing applause from the forum audience. Johnson stressed he was not condoning drug use in urging the legalization of drugs such as marijuana and heroin. Legalized drugs could be regulated, taxed and controlled, Johnson said. And money spent on enforcement in the war on drugs could be redirected into drug treatment and education programs, he said. "I believe the quality of life in this country takes a quantum leap forward by legalizing drugs," Johnson said. Johnson said he envisions that, if drugs were legal, it still would be against the law to do them in public. "Just like urinating, there are things you don't do in public," Johnson said. Johnson was joined at the forum by some nationally prominent drug policy reform advocates, including Ethan Nadelmann and Marsha Rosenbaum from the Lindesmith Center, a think tank funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros. "I know there are drug dealers out there who are the scum of the Earth," Nadelmann said. "But I also know there are people in jail who don't fit that profile. ... Incarceration is the closest thing we have to slavery today." "Does anyone believe we are winning the drug war?" asked panelist Kevin Zeese, director of Common Sense for Drug Policy in Washington, D.C. Many of those in the audience shouted back: "No!" Meanwhile, state Rep. Ron Godbey, R-Albuquerque, said Tuesday he hopes fellow House Republicans will sign a letter stating their opposition to drug legalization. Godbey plans to circulate the letter starting today. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake