NIXON SAYS BOND FAVORED LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Prompted by Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond's new anti-drug ad, Missouri
Attorney General Jay Nixon is accusing Bond of telling St. Louis high
school students 22 years ago that he supported decriminalizing marijuana.

Bond, R-Mo., denies ever making such a statement or advocating such a
policy. "This is another example of Jay Nixon putting out false
information," said Bond campaign manager David Israelite. "He's reckless."

Nixon, a Democrat seeking to defeat Bond in November, based his
accusation on a United Press International account of a three-hour
visit by then-Gov. Bond to several St. Louis schools on March 4, 1976.
The UPI story, carried by newspapers in Springfield, Rolla and
Moberly, quotes Bond as telling a Southwest High School student: "We
have legislation here in the state of Missouri which would take
marijuana out of the criminal category. I think that is a step in the
right direction."

The Nixon campaign cites the article as evidence that Bond once held a
softer view on drug use than he now has.

The Post-Dispatch and the Globe-Democrat also covered Bond's 1976
visit, but made no mention of any such remarks. No story reflecting
views by Bond in favor of decriminalizing marijuana could be found in
the Post-Dispatch's archives. "I think if he'd said something like
that, it would have been big news," Israelite said.

Nixon campaign manager Hatfield said there are no 1976 press accounts
that Bond denied the UPI report. "I think it's significant that he
denies saying it. This shows the length Bond will go to make up a
record on crime," Hatfield said.

The Nixon campaign also cites a 1974 Jefferson City newspaper
editorial blasting Bond for failing to block a festival at the state
fairgrounds in Sedalia where attendees were alleged to have used drugs
unhampered by arrest. Israelite said Bond has no knowledge of any such
incidents, and as governor never ordered police to ignore drug use on
state property.

Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"