GOV. BLASTS PROHIBITION 'BOGEYMAN' AT SHADOW CONVENTION

Gov. Gary Johnson brought his controversial crusade for drug legalization
to Philadelphia, where he received a hero's welcome Tuesday from hundreds
of participants at a so-called shadow convention.

The Republican governor outlined a policy position now familiar to many New
Mexicans: The drug war is ruining lives and unnecessarily costing society
billions of dollars.

"Drug prohibition is tearing this country apart. Prohibition is the
bogeyman," Johnson said to heavy applause and shouts of encouragement from
the audience.

"Marijuana should be legal," the governor said.

Some of the New Mexico delegates to the Republican National Convention here
were not as enthusiastic about Johnson's comments as people attending the
shadow convention.

"He has a perfect right to say anything he wants but he could have picked a
better time and a better place," said Meribelle "Dusty" Bolton, a New
Mexico delegate and vice chair of the state Republican Party.

"We are building unity and this is a very divisive issue," Bolton said.

The shadow convention, organized by syndicated columnist Arianna
Huffington, is being billed as an alternative to the Republican National
Convention taking place across town.