JOHNSON TO PROPOSE SOME DRUG LEGALIZATION FOR NM

New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson said Friday in Santa Fe that he will ask the
Legislature to revamp his state's drug laws.

The changes would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana
and reduce other drug-possession charges to misdemeanors for first- and
second-time offenders.

Johnson also said he would ask lawmakers to approve a medical marijuana
proposal to replace a dormant law. New Mexico has had a law allowing
medical marijuana within a formal research study, but it has not been
funded since 1986.

The governor's stance elicited mixed reactions.

"I think he's nuts," said Sunland Park police Lt. William Padilla. "What's
to keep little kids from getting hooked on marijuana and going on to other
drugs?"

The crime rate and the cost of treating drug addicts would skyrocket,
predicted Padilla, who is president of the Fraternal Order of Police
Officers in that city.

But Johnson's proposal was applauded by the Washington-based National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Keith Stroup, NORML's executive director, said the governor has "provided a
useful blueprint for a more effective and humane drug policy for New Mexico."

Johnson said he was endorsing recommendations made this week by his Drug
Policy Advisory Group.

"A year ago, 14 months ago when I started this dialogue, I would have
thought that this had no chance, that this is a zero," Johnson said of the
drug policy recommendations. "But the reason I am here is because this does
have a lot of support. So I am optimistic that this might actually get
accomplished."

Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca, a member of the advisory group, said more than
30 percent of the city's budget goes to fight drugs.

"The war on drugs is a failure," Baca said. "Anybody who says it's not a
failure is not dealing with reality."

Sunland Park Mayor Jesus Ruben Segura, who isn't on the panel, urged
further study before changing state drug laws. He's worried the changes
might lead children to think it's OK to use drugs.

"It definitely gives mixed signals," Segura said