HOPEFULS DECRY MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Gubernatorial candidates Janet Napolitano and Matt Salmon put their
political rivalry aside Wednesday to denounce a medical marijuana ballot
initiative they believe would promote drug addiction and drain state police
resources.

The two top contenders joined forces with U.S. drug czar John Walters, who
was in Arizona to persuade residents to vote against Proposition 203 in
next month's election. "I'm proud to stand here with Janet Napolitano even
though we're on a hotly contested race," said Salmon, the Republican
nominee. "We know that marijuana is a gateway

drug that leads to other drugs like cocaine."

The initiative would require the Arizona Department of Public Safety to
hand out monthly doses of marijuana to those claming a serious illness and
carrying a physician's note. The measure also would decriminalize marijuana
possession of two ounces or less.

Napolitano said homicide and domestic violence have gone up because of drug
abuse.

"There are some odd aspects to Proposition 203," said Napolitano, the state
attorney general and Democratic candidate for governor. "Requiring DPS to
distribute marijuana is nuts."

Walters said those backing the measure are trying to play on people's
sympathy for the ill to pass a law that would only increase drug problems
and put a huge financial burden and legal liability on the state.

"The campaign is dishonest," said Walters, speaking to a group of
elementary pupils and senior citizens in Phoenix. "I don't believe voters
in Arizona are going to buy a stupid, insulting con like this proposition."

Proponents dismissed the arguments, saying the initiative would save
Arizona millions of dollars each year by diverting first- and second-time
drug offenders to treatment instead of locking them up. The war on drugs
has failed, they argue, and it's time to try other solutions.

"The drug czar doesn't get it that the answer to crime involving drug
addicts isn't incarceration but treatment," said Grant Woods, a former
attorney general who supports the measure.

Walters called the measure a real threat, citing statisics that say
thousands of teens begin using marijuana each year.

"We're sending the wrong message to young people," he said.

But his arguments weren't enough to convince Carolyn Barker, 60, a Phoenix
resident with breast cancer and severe arthritis.

"Two ounces of marijuana doesn't seem very much," said Barker, who plans to
vote for the measure because she may have to use the drug to ease her pain.

State officials estimate the measure could cost Arizona as much as $12
million to set up labs to test confiscated marijuana and then distribute it.

Proponents dispute that amount, saying the cost would be more like $160,000
annually.