Pubdate: Wed, 07 Mar 2001
Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)
Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque Tribune
Contact:  P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Website: http://www.abqtrib.com/
Author:  Gilbert Gallegos

DENDAHL'S DRUG-LAW SUPPORT CRITICIZED

SANTA FE -- By trying to prove bipartisan support for the governor's 
drug-reform package, state Republican Party Chairman John Dendahl 
might have re-ignited Republican opposition to the idea.

Dendahl appeared at a news conference Monday at the Roundhouse to 
offer his support for efforts to change the state's drug laws.

Standing alongside former Democratic Gov. Toney Anaya, Dendahl said 
he wanted to reassure legislators -- Democrats and Republicans -- 
that he would not attack them if they support the drug-reform effort.

"This is not a partisan issue," Dendhal said.

But House Republicans immediately moved to distance themselves from 
Dendahl's statements.

One critic, Rep. Ron Godbey, said Dendahl's continual support for 
changing drugs laws, including his approval of Johnsons desire to 
legalize marijuana, has gone too far.

"It could be that the pro-legalization side sees that all of these 
bills are in trouble, and they're pulling out the big guns to try to 
salvage what they can," said Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican.

"He (Dendahl) clearly has overstepped his boundary as chairman. And 
as such he should surrender his keys to the office and step down as 
chairman of the party."

Dendahl said he wouldn't back down from his views.

"I see no reason why someone elected to a position of leadership 
can't be courageous enough to point out that we have some public 
policy flaws that are much in need of debate and possible revision," 
Dendahl said.

House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs said while he did not agree with 
Godbey's call for Dendahl's resignation, he does feel it is necessary 
to point out Dendahl is not speaking for all Republicans in his 
support for drug reform.

"Dendahl is representing himself," Hobbs, of Albuquerque, said. "He 
does not represent the party. He does not represent Republican 
legislators. He does not represent me on this issue.

"I don't believe that an announcement like this will have a major 
impact, certainly on the Republican caucus."

Johnson has proposed eight bills aimed at easing drug laws so the 
state can shift its focus to treating drug abusers, rather than 
jailing them.

The bill garnering the most attention this legislative session is a 
measure to allow for the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Two 
bills to change medical marijuana laws are scheduled for committee 
hearings this week.

But several other measures dealing with more controversial 
drug-reform ideas have been stalled since the beginning of the 
session.

For example, Johnson also wants to decriminalize small amounts of 
marijuana -- making the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana 
subject to fines, rather than jail time. But the decriminalization 
bill has not yet been heard in any committees.

Anaya, who is lobbying on behalf of the drug-reform package, said he 
is not yet worried that the bills are moving too slowly. "I'm not 
concerned about the timing," Anaya said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe