GOP LEADERS REMIND GOVERNOR OF DRUG POLICY

Republican leaders stopped just short of an admonition in sending Gov. Gary
Johnson a "strong message" on the issue of drug decriminalization.

Johnson has said smoking marijuana shouldn't be a crime and is leading drug
policy debate that includes decriminalizing some drug use.

But in bold letters, the party's executive committee wrote Johnson this
week, urging him to "oppose any consideration of eliminating criminal
sanctions in our state alone.

"New Mexico or any other state that does otherwise risks becoming a haven
for addicts," the letter warns.

GOP chairman John Dendahl hand-delivered the two-page letter to the
Governor's Office on Tuesday afternoon. The 40-member executive committee
voted unanimously Saturday to send Johnson the letter.

A spokeswoman for the governor said Johnson has not reviewed the letter
because he is on vacation this week.

Johnson plans to hold a series of public meetings to discuss drug policies.
No dates have been announced.

The executive committee voted to send Johnson the letter rather than add a
state party platform plank against the decriminalization of drugs.

Dendahl said passing a resolution against decriminalizing drugs would be a
"slap" at Johnson, a Republican power at the State Capitol.

Dendahl, who declined to comment on his views about drug decriminalization,
wrote the letter. He delivered it after it was reviewed by Mike Larimer,
Aztec Republican, who proposed the resolution against decriminalization, and
Colin McMillan, a longtime party activist.

Rep. Ron Godbey, Albuquerque Republican, said Dendahl's letter had a
diplomatic tone.

Godbey, who lobbied for passage of the resolution against drug
decriminalization, said the party needs to step in and "kill" the issue.

"What we have done with the letter is toss in a hand grenade," Godbey said.

A smart bomb, he said, would have killed the decriminalization issue, which
is viewed by some GOP legislative leaders as political trouble.

McMillan defended the letter, saying it does exactly what the executive
committee wanted accomplished.

"I think it sends a strong message, and the message needs to be strong --
that the executive committee wants a tough stand on drugs," McMillan said.

The letter includes a drug policy paragraph from the Republican Party's
national platform on drugs.

That paragraph, in part, reads: "We support strong penalties, including
mandatory minimum sentences, for drug trafficking, distribution and
drug-related crimes. Drug use is closely related to crime and recidivism."

The platform also says the Republican approach includes "no legalization, no
tolerance, no excuses."

"The party is taking a position on drugs and you know that's the one I
support," McMillan said.

The Roswell rancher is one of a list of possible congressional candidates
should Rep. Joe Skeen, Pichaco Republican, decide to step down. McMillan is
also the chairman for Texas Gov. George W. Bush's presidential campaign.

Larimer was not available for comment.

Dendahl said he hopes his letter makes it clear that Johnson should not send
a mixed message about drugs to children.

In the letter, the executive committee asks Johnson to "continually make
clear your determination to enforce existing laws and your personal aversion
to drug use."

Dendahl wrote in the letter that the committee is concerned "that
decriminalization is too easily taken to mean 'approval.' "

Dendahl said he shared that concern, especially when Johnson talks about
decriminalization and then says he doesn't believe smoking marijuana should
be a crime.

"You put the two together and it sounds like drug-use is great," he said. "I
don't think the governor believes that."

Still, Dendahl wants Johnson to understand the power of his words.

"It's a concern I personally have with his message, not his policies,"
Dendahl said. "This is a hairy subject people are concerned about. When you
talk about it, you have to be careful what you say."