Pubdate: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 Source: Hill, The (US DC) Copyright: 2004 The Hill Contact: http://www.hillnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1509 Authors: Albert Eisele and Jeff Dufour Note: Item excerpted from longer column Cited: Drug Policy Alliance http://www.drugpolicy.org Cited: Marijuana Policy Project http://www.mpp.org Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Bill+Richardson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/johnson.htm (Johnson, Gary) FOR VEEP, RICHARDSON WOULD BE 'PABULUM' TO FOE OF DRUG WAR Should New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) be named John Kerry's running mate for the November election, he won't be doing the ticket any favors among one traditionally Democratic constituency: the drug decriminalization crowd. At least not as far as his predecessor, former Gov. Gary Johnson (R), is concerned. At a reception hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance last week, Johnson expressed dismay at Richardson's stewardship of his signature issue, suggesting that the former congressman and energy secretary lacks the kind of political courage necessary to take it forward. "He's pabulum," said Johnson, with a ring of irritation in his voice. In his eight years in the state Capitol, Johnson's tireless advocacy of medical marijuana and drug decriminalization began to tilt the issue from solidly Democratic to one that some Republicans have come to embrace. Johnson was roundly opposed in his own state but became something of a libertarian hero nationally. He has been traveling recently with members of the Drug Policy Alliance and Marijuana Policy Project to drum up support for the issue in other states. Richardson has said he'll consider signing a medical marijuana bill moving through the Legislature but also publicly distanced himself from Johnson's policies at a meeting with the federal drug czar. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake