'PLAYBOY' CLARIFIES JOHNSON'S DRUG REMARKS

At the urging of Gov. Gary Johnson's office, Playboy magazine issued a
correction of sorts Thursday with a press release clarifying a headline
from a previous press release.

The "Entertainment for Men" monthly features an interview with Johnson in
its January issue, scheduled to hit newsstands on Monday. Johnson expounds
on his views about legalizing drugs in the interview, which was conducted
in May.

Johnson's press spokeswoman Diane Kinderwater took issue with a headline on
a Playboy release that stated "Outspoken Republican calls for legalization
of drugs 'across the board.' "

Johnson wants to legalize marijuana, Kinderwater told The New Mexican, but
he advocates only "harm reduction" strategies for dealing with other
illegal drugs. The position marks a withdrawal from a broader
pro-legalization stance sometimes argued by the Republican governor.

In its press release Thursday, Playboy includes a quote from Johnson to
"clarify" where the "across the board" comment originated. Johnson is asked
if he believes all drugs should be legal.

"If we legalized all drugs across the board, we would have a better
situation than we have today," Johnson replied. "If all illicit drugs were
available over the counter, things would be better. But that's not what I'm
advocating. I think that we should start with certain drugs, based on
existing models.

"There are models that exist for the legalization of heroin. There is a
model when it comes to marijuana. There isn't a model for cocaine,
methamphetamines, LSD, and so on. I am not advocating legalization, but I
do think we should look into it."

Kinderwater said Johnson won't decide whether to push a pro-legalization
bill for marijuana at the Legislature next year until he receives
recommendations from a private advisory group he has formed to consider
drug policies.