DRUG GROUP LAUNCHES $50,000 AD CAMPAIGN

SANTA FE -- A national group advocating the reform of marijuana laws has
launched a $50,000 ad campaign in New Mexico supporting legislative
measures that would decriminalize and allow for medical uses of the
drug.

The Washington-based National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws, or NORML, began airing radio ads last week in support of the drug
law changes. NORML also took out a half page newspaper ad.

"The purpose of our running these ads is we wanted to make sure there is
healthy debate on the issue," said NORML executive director Keith
Stroup, who was in Santa Fe Monday to lobby lawmakers.

Gov. Gary Johnson wants to legalize the use of marijuana as medicine for
people suffering from certain illnesses, such as cancer.

The governor also proposes to decriminalize possession of up to one
ounce of marijuana, treating it like a traffic violation that would be
subject to a civil fine but no arrest, jail time or criminal record.

Stroup said Johnson's stance on drug reform was a major reason why his
nonprofit organization targeted New Mexico.

"We gave it the highest priority because you have a sitting Republican
governor who has been an incredibly strong supporter and obviously that
helps create a political climate where it makes sense for us to put some
resources into it," he said.

In the 60-second radio spot, the narrator says, "76 million Americans
share a secret. Sometime in their lives, they've smoked marijuana.
Almost every one of them is an otherwise law-abiding citizen. . . .
Maybe you're one of them."

The radio spots will run for two more weeks, but no more newspaper ads
are planned until the issue moves further along in the Legislature,
Stroup said.

Nine states already have medical marijuana laws, and at least a dozen
states are considering similar measures this year, Stroup said.

"We're hoping New Mexico will set a positive example some of these other
states would be encouraged to follow," he said.

The organization planned a press briefing in the governor's office at 1
p.m. today, with Dr. John P. Morgan, a professor at the City University
of New York and author of "Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts," as a
resource speaker. Stroup was scheduled to be there to answer questions