POSSIBLE POT PLANT AT GOVERNOR'S MANSION

DENVER -- It may or may not have been marijuana growing at the Governor's
Mansion, but whatever it was, it's gone.

State workers Thursday removed what appeared to be a knee-high marijuana
plant from a bed of bluebells and clover after reporters asked about it.

The State Patrol tested the plant and said it was only a marijuana
look-alike. A Denver Post reporter took a leaf of the plant to experts at
the Denver Botanic Gardens, who said it was marijuana.

"This is obviously a planted story," joked Dick Wadhams, spokesman for
Republican Gov. Bill Owens.

Wadhams suggested, jokingly, that it might be a conspiracy by three
Democrats who are running or may run for governor.

"It's clearly a joint effort," he said. "We believe they're just blowing
smoke."

If it was marijuana, it probably grew from a seed that blew in or was
dropped by a pot smoker, State Patrol Sgt. N.A. Nathlich said.

The governor lives with his family in suburban Aurora and uses the mansion
for official functions.