KERNAN ADMITS USING MARIJUANA

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Joe Kernan used marijuana a few times while he was in
his 20s, his campaign disclosed yesterday.

The disclosure came after some Democrats suggested that Republican
gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels had not been entirely forthcoming
about his 1970 drug arrest while attending Princeton.

Kernan campaign spokeswoman Tina Noel said Kernan, a Democrat, used
marijuana "a few times." She said that was the only illegal drug Kernan,
now 58, had ever used.

Daniels has long acknowledged that he pleaded guilty to a marijuana
possession charge 34 years ago, and his campaign accused Kernan's
supporters of dredging up the arrest in a "pathetic, personal attack."

Initial newspaper accounts say Daniels, 21 at the time, and two others were
arrested in a dorm room in 1970 after a five-month investigation that also
led to other arrests.

Those accounts had Daniels and the other two in the room being charged with
possession of marijuana, LSD and other drugs, and maintaining a common
nuisance - allowing the sale or use of drugs.

Daniels was later indicted on two charges - possessing marijuana and
maintaining a nuisance. Prosecutors later dropped those charges, and
Daniels pleaded guilty to a disorderly person charge stemming from his use
of marijuana. He was fined $350.

The Daniels campaign has shared data on the incident.

The Indianapolis Star reported Sunday that the charges may have stemmed
from activity in the dorm before Daniels moved in. V. Steven Harris, who
lived there previously, said Daniels had "nothing to do with selling
drugs." Harris said he - not Daniels - was the one "busted."