Pubdate: Fri, 24 Sept 1999 Source: ABC NEWS 20/20, American Broadcasting Company (US) Copyright: (c) 1999 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. Website: http://www.abcnews.go.com Contact: http://abcnews.go.com/onair/2020/20/20_email_form.html Note: that this is only a portion of a one hour program dedicated to Hugh Downs' last night on 20/20. ABC 20/20 HUGH DOWNS, DRUG POLICY INSANITY BARBARA WALTERS: Have there been issues that you would like to have spoken out on, because you have some very strong opinions,... HUGH DOWNS: You bet. BARBARA WALTERS: ....That you have not been able to? This is your chance. HUGH DOWNS: It is, isn't it? As you know from 20/20 a couple of times back, I have made comments about the insanity of our drug policy in this country. BARBARA WALTERS: Are you for the legalization of marijuana? HUGH DOWNS: The decriminalization of marijuana, yes. I think that would be important, particularly the medical use of it. I think it's ludicrous that states have voted that a medical use is a proper use of that, and yet the federal government countermands that and causes problems for sick people. But I am in favor of it. BARBARA WALTERS: And this is something up until now you've not been able to talk about on television? HUGH DOWNS: No. A couple of times I poked at it a little bit in years past, but the roof fell on me so hard that I decided to back off. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea