LEADER CLARIFIES VIEW ON DRUG LEGALIZATION

Pressed to clarify his views on legalizing drugs, New Mexico Gov. Gary
Johnson said Tuesday that he foresees a process that would start with
marijuana. ``I don't see legalization of dangerous drugs any time
soon,'' Johnson told reporters after speaking for drug legalization at
the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington.

Johnson, a Republican in his second term, drew strong criticism from
anti-drug leaders last week when he became the first sitting governor
to advocate legalized narcotics. Johnson said the nation's war on
drugs has been a multibillion-dollar failure that throws too many
people in prison.