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.