REPUBLICANS AGAINST JOHNSON SEEKING DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION

SANTA FE, N.M. - Leaders of the state Republican Party appealed to Gov.
Gary Johnson on Tuesday not to advocate lifting penalties for drug-related
crimes in New Mexico as he pushes for a public debate on decriminalizing
some drug use.

State GOP chairman John Dendahl delivered a letter to the governor's office
at the request of the party's executive committee, reminding the Republican
governor that the national GOP position supported "strong penalties,
including mandatory minimum sentences, for drug trafficking, distribution
and drug-related crimes." Johnson said he doesn't believe a person should
go to jail or prison for smoking marijuana, but he doesn't intend to
propose such a change in state law when the Legislature meets next year.
The governor emphasized that he's not advocating or encouraging the use of
drugs.

"The executive committee believes that any drug policy discussion should
have a national focus and urges you to oppose any consideration of
eliminating criminal sanctions in our state alone," stated the letter
written by Dendahl. "New Mexico or any other state that does otherwise
risks becoming a haven for addicts."

The letter is a reflection of the political heartburn that Johnson has
given many Republicans by calling for a debate about overhauling the state
and national policy against drugs. Johnson contends that the national war
against drugs failed to stop the flow or use of drugs, and it consumes too
much time and money of law enforcement, prosecutors and courts.

Johnson is on vacation until early next month and hasn't seen the letter,
said Monica Castellano, a spokeswoman for the governor. She said the
governor's office wasn't expected to comment until Johnson reviewed the
letter.

The governor said he hopes to organize at least three forums this fall to
start the debate on how the state and nation deals with the problem of drug
use. No dates or locations have been determined for the public meetings.

The GOP executive committee voted at a weekend meeting to send the letter
to Johnson rather than approve a resolution strongly opposing the
legalization of drugs.

Dendahl was directed to draft the letter, and he said in an interview that
two executive committee members reviewed the letter before it was delivered
to the governor's office.

Approving the letter were Mike Larimer of Farmington, chairman of the San
Juan County GOP, who had proposed the resolution against drug
decriminalization, and Colin McMillan of Roswell.

Johnson was asked by the GOP leadership group to "continually make clear
your determination to enforce existing laws and your personal aversion to
drug use."

The letter continued, "New Mexico's youth, who quite properly admire you as
a special role model, are not well-served by hearing that 'Governor Johnson
approves drug use.' None of us doubts your personal aversion to drugs, but
the executive committee is concerned that 'decriminalization' is too easily
taken to mean 'approval.'

The 46-year-old governor, who is serving his second term, is an avid
athlete who doesn't drink alcohol or use drugs. But he acknowledged that he
used marijuana - and cocaine three times - more than 20 years ago.

Part of the letter sought to express support for Johnson - describing him
as a "great Republican" - and avoid the appearance of a serious internal
party rift.

"This letter is submitted in the spirit of your suggestion that drug policy
be re-examined," Dendahl wrote. "The Republican Party's platform celebrates
'diversity of views as a source of strength,' and commits Republicans 'to
resolving our differences in a spirit of civility, hope, and mutual
respect.' Those qualities were alive and well during our meeting last
Saturday."