ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE ADVOCATES LEGALIZING DRUGS

Liz Michael, a Libertarian-turned-Republican, issues paper stating war on
narcotics have caused more harm than good. Opponents disagree.

GLENDALE -- When Liz Michael decided to run for the state Assembly, she
promised she wouldn't be the traditional politician. With the release of a
position paper supporting the legalization of marijuana, she's making good
on her word.

In the four page paper titled "The Drug War," Michael writes that fighting
drugs and imprisoning people have ruined lives far beyond drug use.

"It has cost untold billions in police resources, prison and jail space and
expenses and law enforcement corruption. Drug profits have financed violent
crime, a weapons black market, foreign terrorist movements, gangs and
organized crime families," she wrote. In the paper, Michael does not
promote the legalization of all drugs, nor does she suggest it as a cure-all.

"I will frankly admit I believe more people will experiment," she wrote. In
Michael's view, not all drugs are created equal. Marijuana should be
completely legal, Michael writes. Cocaine, heroin and opium should be
decriminalized, she said.

Changing drug laws would confine addicts to controlled doses, increase
government tax revenue and greatly reduce the costs of prosecuting drug
addicts, Michael writes. It would also save the lives of police officers
and others involved in drug-related crimes, she said. Michael won't likely
get the support of the Republican establishment in her quest, however. The
state GOP platform specifically supports tougher sentences for those who
sell drugs. Both of Michael's Republican Assembly opponents, Mark MacCarley
and Craig Missakian, said they support current laws. MacCarley is a
sheriff's deputy who has patrolled in the foothills for 10 years.

"I've seen the ravages of the drug culture," he said. "I've seen where
individual lives were on course, only to be lost after the introduction of
substance abuse."

Craig Missakian, a former prosecutor, said the war on drugs is not one we
should give up.

"We need to focus on prosecuting those who commit crimes to the full extent
of the law," he said. "But I do agree we might take a hard look at
diversion to free up limited prison resources." MacCarley said Michael's
drug position makes her an outsider. Missakian said Michael's drug position
shows her true colors. Michael is a former member of the Libertarian Party,
which advocates the lifting of drug prohibitions.

"She is masquerading as a Republican," he said. Michael herself said her
position is not campaign strategy, but will appeal to the young and
disenfranchised. "Politicians need to say the plain things that need to be
said," she said. "Drug users are essentially sick people, and we're putting
them in jail. Marijuana is less dangerous than cigarettes and alcohol. To
say anything other than that, I wouldn't be a stateswoman and I wouldn't be
a leader." Karen Wingard, the regional director of the California
Democratic Party, said she doesn't know how Michael's position will play
with voters. Her position is different, she said. "I would not want to say
it in a nasty way, but I would say it won't put her out in front, knowing
the Republicans in Glendale," she said.