IN RADIO DEBATE, CANDIDATES BACK USE OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

Both Would Require Doctor's Prescription

TRENTON - Advocates for medical marijuana use will have an ally in
the governor's office next year, regardless of whether Democrat U.S.
Sen. Jon S. Corzine or Republican Doug Forrester wins November's election.

Both candidates said Tuesday night that if elected, they would allow
for the medicinal use of marijuana - if it is prescribed by a doctor.

"Under the proper circumstances, I think we need to provide all
medical resources, and that includes what is emerging now with regard
to this particular application," Forrester said. "I'm very much open to that."

Corzine said, "If a doctor prescribes it, we need to do what is in
the best interests of the patient."

Both candidates spoke in response to a listener's question during a
forum on New Jersey 101.5 FM radio and other Millennium-owned New
Jersey stations Tuesday night. They appeared together on the radio
station hours after answering questions from Gannett New Jersey editors.

Corzine also said he would take only $1 as a salary if he is elected,
but he didn't directly answer whether he would live at the governor's
official residence, Drumthwacket, in Princeton Township.

Forrester, also a multimillionaire, said he would take the $175,000
governor's salary and give it all to charity. He said taking only $1
would cause problems with salaries for other Cabinet officers.
Forrester said he would live in the governor's mansion.

Corzine also upped the ante on a pledge to reduce the number of
political appointees in state government, saying he would ask for the
resignation of "every political appointee."

"We ought to be picking people for jobs based on merit and their
qualifications," he said.

Corzine said he would reduce some 800 political appointments in state
government by half.

Forrester said political appointees interfere with "rank and file"
state workers.