ABC 20/20 HUGH DOWNS, DRUG POLICY INSANITY

BARBARA WALTERS: Have there been issues that you would like to have
spoken out on, because you have some very strong opinions,...

HUGH DOWNS: You bet.

BARBARA WALTERS: ....That you have not been able to? This is your
chance.

HUGH DOWNS: It is, isn't it? As you know from 20/20 a couple of times
back, I have made comments about the insanity of our drug policy in
this country.

BARBARA WALTERS: Are you for the legalization of marijuana?

HUGH DOWNS: The decriminalization of marijuana, yes. I think that
would be important, particularly the medical use of it. I think it's
ludicrous that states have voted that a medical use is a proper use of
that, and yet the federal government countermands that and causes
problems for sick people. But I am in favor of it.

BARBARA WALTERS: And this is something up until now you've not been
able to talk about on television?

HUGH DOWNS: No. A couple of times I poked at it a little bit in years
past, but the roof fell on me so hard that I decided to back off.