Bookmark: MAP's link to shadow convention items:
http://www.mapinc.org/shadow.htm

Note: Shadow Convention websites:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/
http://www.shadowconventions.com/

JOHNSON PROMOTES DRUG LEGALIZATION

PHILADELPHIA - New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson found a receptive audience
Tuesday for his message of drug legalization after nearly a year of
futilely trying to sell it to skeptical politicians and the public.

"Drug prohibition is what is tearing this country apart. It's not drug use.
Nobody wants to hear the facts," the Republican governor said to whoops and
cheers from an audience at the so-called Shadow Convention.

The Shadow Convention, under way near the Republican National Convention,
is being run by Arianna Huffington, the syndicated columnist and author of
How to Overthrow the Government.

The gathering, also planned for the Democratic National Convention in Los
Angeles, will focus on three issues Huffington said both parties are
overlooking: the corrupting influence of money in politics, the failed war
on drugs and the persistence of poverty in America.

Johnson is one of the highest ranking public officials to advocate
legalization of marijuana and the decriminalization of other drugs such as
heroin.

He said the drug war discriminates against minorities, leads to an increase
in crime, and causes the transmission of disease through needle sharing and
the selling of sex for drugs.

"Marijuana should be legal," Johnson said. That drew the loudest response
from the audience, many of whom waved signs with messages such as, "Stop
the War on Drugs."

Johnson and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were among several speakers discussing
the drug issue. While Johnson said he supports drug legalization and
decriminalization, he cautioned convention-goers not to use drugs.

"We need to make a distinction between smoking marijuana in the confines of
your own home," said Johnson, who has acknowledged his drug use in the
past. "Is that a crime? No, that's not a crime. It's a bad decision, but it
should not be a crime."

Many of New Mexico's delegates at the GOP convention, while supporting the
governor on other positions, said they were not pleased with his stance on
drug legalization.

"It should be abundantly clear by now that there's nothing to be gained by
chatting about legalization of drugs," said delegate Rod Adair, a state
senator from Roswell.

Delegate Jack Fortner of Farmington, said he respected the governor's
position but disagreed with it.

"I don't know anybody who agrees with him," Fortner said. "Gov. Johnson has
been a good governor. He just needs to see the light on this issue."

While Johnson may not have endeared himself to his fellow Republicans, he
was well received by attendees at the Shadow Convention.

Dick Guard, who came from Washington, D.C., to attend the conference, said
he admired the governor's courage and conviction.

"I think he's speaking for so many disenfranchised people. Now, those
people finally have a voice," Guard said.