REFORM CANDIDATE CALLS FOR LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

James Gibson, the only Reform Party candidate so far for the U.S. Senate in
2000, issued a statement Wednesday calling for "regulation of marijuana"
rather than the "failed prohibition policies of the past."

Gibson, in an e-mailed news release, said he favored a "legal distribution
framework" and a "license system similar to alcohol" to restrict access to
minors. He said many high school students say obtaining marijuana is easier
than buying alcohol. He argued that's because dealers don't face any legal
sanction or regulation. "Marijuana is downright benign compared to hard
drugs, such as cocaine or heroin," Gibson said. Its prohibition has
increased the level and profitability of criminal activity, he said.

Gibson, 46, a software developer from Edina, didn't talk to Gov. Jesse
Ventura or Reform Party leaders about taking his position on legalization,
said Neal Levine, Gibson's campaign manager.

However, Ventura has expressed sympathy for decriminalizing or legalizing
"victimless" crimes, including drug use and prostitution. But Ventura also
has emphasized that he isn't pushing for legislative changes in those regards.

Gibson "has never used marijuana himself," his statement said.