COP CAMPAIGNS FOR POT ON HORSEBACK

Howard "Cowboy" Wooldridge, 59, is riding his horse Misty throughout
California in support of ending prohibition of marijuana.

Woodridge spent Monday morning near Northridge Mall in Salinas,
circling the intersection of North Main Street and Harden Road,
waving to passing cars.

He and Misty traveled to California from their home in Fort Worth,
Texas. Though Wooldridge is the spokesperson, Misty is the "star."
People are drawn to the horse and she opens the door for discussion, he said.

If passed in November, Prop 19 would allow adults over the age of 21
to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Individuals
could grow marijuana gardens of up to 25 square feet on private
property; cities and counties would decide whether to allow sales and
taxation of marijuana within their boundaries.

Wooldridge speaks from his 18 years of experience as a police officer
in Michigan.

"The war on marijuana is nonsense," he said. "Every hour spent
chasing Willie Nelson is an hour spent not catching drunk drivers or
child molesters."

Wooldridge retired from active duty in 1994 and has been involved
with the movement against the prohibition of marijuana for 13 years.
He is one of five founding members of Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition, an organization of current and former law enforcement
officers that now has 14,000 members worldwide.

Woodridge says marijuana should be treated like beer. "As an
intoxicant, it is no play toy, but from professional and personal
experience, it is safer than alcohol for the user and everyone around."

He hasn't smoked in 32 years.

In 2005, Wooldridge rode Misty from Los Angeles to New York City.
Today, she gets the star treatment, riding in a trailer as they
travel between cities. This month, they have visited cities across
the state, including Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno. Next month,
stops in San Diego and Los Angeles are on their agenda.