Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 Source: Reuters Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited. NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR CHIDED BY PARTY ON DRUG ISSUE SANTA FE, N.M. (Reuters) - New Mexico's Republican Party will send a letter to the state's Republican governor criticizing his call to consider legalizing marijuana and other drugs, party officials said Tuesday. State Republican Party Chairman John Dendahl said party leaders decided to write Gov. Gary Johnson to remind him that "his stance is out of step with the national party platform." "Some of the core (party) group and the most conservative members are adamantly against it," said Dendahl. "They say decriminalization is so far off the table, it shouldn't be discussed at all." Johnson made headlines last month by calling for a debate on the decriminalization of drugs. The second-term governor said the war on drugs was not working and it would be a logical first step to change laws on marijuana because it was less addictive than cocaine or heroin. "His comments about legalizing marijuana were anecdotal," said Dendahl, who noted that marijuana was legal in New Mexico for medicinal and religious purposes. "He said he knew people who smoked and he had a hard time equating that with criminal activity." Dendahl said he and some other Republicans agreed that a broad-based discussion about drugs, including decriminalization, could be useful. But he said they were trying to avoid a rift in the party and hoped that the letter would lead to a resolution. "We want the discussion to be civil and on the merits and not kick out anyone who disagrees with one of the party platforms," said Dendahl. "He's getting a little distracted from the important things he can accomplish in New Mexico." A spokesman for Johnson said he was on vacation and unavailable for comment. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder