Pubdate: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 1999 Los Angeles Times Contact: Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053 Fax: (213) 237-4712 Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/ Author: Robert Shaffer ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE ADVOCATES LEGALIZING DRUGS Liz Michael, a Libertarian-turned-Republican, issues paper stating war on narcotics have caused more harm than good. Opponents disagree. GLENDALE -- When Liz Michael decided to run for the state Assembly, she promised she wouldn't be the traditional politician. With the release of a position paper supporting the legalization of marijuana, she's making good on her word. In the four page paper titled "The Drug War," Michael writes that fighting drugs and imprisoning people have ruined lives far beyond drug use. "It has cost untold billions in police resources, prison and jail space and expenses and law enforcement corruption. Drug profits have financed violent crime, a weapons black market, foreign terrorist movements, gangs and organized crime families," she wrote. In the paper, Michael does not promote the legalization of all drugs, nor does she suggest it as a cure-all. "I will frankly admit I believe more people will experiment," she wrote. In Michael's view, not all drugs are created equal. Marijuana should be completely legal, Michael writes. Cocaine, heroin and opium should be decriminalized, she said. Changing drug laws would confine addicts to controlled doses, increase government tax revenue and greatly reduce the costs of prosecuting drug addicts, Michael writes. It would also save the lives of police officers and others involved in drug-related crimes, she said. Michael won't likely get the support of the Republican establishment in her quest, however. The state GOP platform specifically supports tougher sentences for those who sell drugs. Both of Michael's Republican Assembly opponents, Mark MacCarley and Craig Missakian, said they support current laws. MacCarley is a sheriff's deputy who has patrolled in the foothills for 10 years. "I've seen the ravages of the drug culture," he said. "I've seen where individual lives were on course, only to be lost after the introduction of substance abuse." Craig Missakian, a former prosecutor, said the war on drugs is not one we should give up. "We need to focus on prosecuting those who commit crimes to the full extent of the law," he said. "But I do agree we might take a hard look at diversion to free up limited prison resources." MacCarley said Michael's drug position makes her an outsider. Missakian said Michael's drug position shows her true colors. Michael is a former member of the Libertarian Party, which advocates the lifting of drug prohibitions. "She is masquerading as a Republican," he said. Michael herself said her position is not campaign strategy, but will appeal to the young and disenfranchised. "Politicians need to say the plain things that need to be said," she said. "Drug users are essentially sick people, and we're putting them in jail. Marijuana is less dangerous than cigarettes and alcohol. To say anything other than that, I wouldn't be a stateswoman and I wouldn't be a leader." Karen Wingard, the regional director of the California Democratic Party, said she doesn't know how Michael's position will play with voters. Her position is different, she said. "I would not want to say it in a nasty way, but I would say it won't put her out in front, knowing the Republicans in Glendale," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D