Pubdate: Sat, 06 Jan 2001
Source: El Paso Times (TX)
Copyright: 2001 El Paso Times
Contact:  P.O.Box 20, El Paso, Texas 79999
Fax: (915) 546-6415
Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/
Author: Sergio Bustos, Washington Bureau
Note: El Paso Times reporter Susan Church and the Associated Press 
contributed to this story.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/johnson.htm (Johnson, Gary)

JOHNSON TO PROPOSE SOME DRUG LEGALIZATION FOR NM

New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson said Friday in Santa Fe that he will ask the 
Legislature to revamp his state's drug laws.

The changes would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana 
and reduce other drug-possession charges to misdemeanors for first- and 
second-time offenders.

Johnson also said he would ask lawmakers to approve a medical marijuana 
proposal to replace a dormant law. New Mexico has had a law allowing 
medical marijuana within a formal research study, but it has not been 
funded since 1986.

The governor's stance elicited mixed reactions.

"I think he's nuts," said Sunland Park police Lt. William Padilla. "What's 
to keep little kids from getting hooked on marijuana and going on to other 
drugs?"

The crime rate and the cost of treating drug addicts would skyrocket, 
predicted Padilla, who is president of the Fraternal Order of Police 
Officers in that city.

But Johnson's proposal was applauded by the Washington-based National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Keith Stroup, NORML's executive director, said the governor has "provided a 
useful blueprint for a more effective and humane drug policy for New Mexico."

Johnson said he was endorsing recommendations made this week by his Drug 
Policy Advisory Group.

"A year ago, 14 months ago when I started this dialogue, I would have 
thought that this had no chance, that this is a zero," Johnson said of the 
drug policy recommendations. "But the reason I am here is because this does 
have a lot of support. So I am optimistic that this might actually get 
accomplished."

Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca, a member of the advisory group, said more than 
30 percent of the city's budget goes to fight drugs.

"The war on drugs is a failure," Baca said. "Anybody who says it's not a 
failure is not dealing with reality."

Sunland Park Mayor Jesus Ruben Segura, who isn't on the panel, urged 
further study before changing state drug laws. He's worried the changes 
might lead children to think it's OK to use drugs.

"It definitely gives mixed signals," Segura said
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager