BUSH'S DRUG CZAR COMING TO TUCSON TO ENCOURAGE REJECTION OF LEGAL MARIJUANA

President George W. Bush's appointed drug czar John Walters will spread his
message about the dangers of marijuana use and the threats posed by
legalizing the drug, when he makes a stop in Tucson Wednesday.

The director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy will make an
appearance at Vida Serena, 2835 N. Stone Ave.

He will stress the health and social consequences of marijuana use and
oppose Proposition 203, a drug-policy initiative that would decriminalize
possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Gubernatorial candidates Matt Salmon and Janet Napolitano may be at the
event, said Walter's spokeswoman Jennifer de Vallance.

"He doesn't feel marijuana is medicine," she said. "Part of the problem
with marijuana is, people are getting mixed messages."

Marijuana is responsible for 60 percent of all drug dependency, she said.
Pop culture presents the drug as harmless but it actually reduces the
ability to concentrate and retain information, de Vallance said.

Proposition 203 would make possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana a
civil violation punishable by a fine of no more than $250. The fine could
be waived by taking a drug education class.

The state Department of Public Safety would be required to distribute
confiscated marijuana for free to those who receive a doctor's order to use
the drug for medical purposes.

"Voters should consider the facts when they're at the polls this November,"
said Walter's spokeswoman.

After stopping in Tucson, he will visit Nevada and Washington state, she said.