GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFULS AGREE: KEEP POT ILLEGAL

HELENA - None of the six major political party candidates for governor
supports legalizing the medical use of marijuana or decriminalizing the
possession of marijuana in Montana.

Lawrence "Butch" Turk, a registered nurse from Missoula who is a trainer in
emergency medical care and political action, asked: "What is your position
on legalization of marijuana use for medical purposes and decriminalization
of marijuana possession for all Montanans?"

The Gazette State Bureau forwarded Turk's question to the four Republican
and two Democrats seeking their respective party's nomination in the June 8
primary election.

Montana voters may get to vote on the medical marijuana question because a
group has proposed a ballot initiative to legalize the use of marijuana for
this purpose. The proposal is being reviewed by state agencies before
supporters can begin gathering signatures.

Here are the candidates' responses:

Ken Miller, Republican, furniture outlet store owner and former state
senator from Laurel: "I oppose it."

Brian Schweitzer, Democrat, Whitefish farmer-rancher: "I don't support
legalizing marijuana. We need strict penalties for criminals who manufacture
drugs or sell to kids. We also need a system to get people off drugs. More
than three-quarters of inmates are incarcerated on drug and alcohol-related
offenses. Drug users continue using behind bars, reoffend after parole and
go back in prison. Incarcerating these people is a huge budget strain on the
state. Let's create drug treatment programs for nonviolent addicts. Work
programs and drug testing will produce productive citizens. Results aren't
measured by long prison sentences, but by how many people overcome their
addictions."

John Vincent, Democrat, Gallatin County commissioner from Gallatin Gateway
and former state legislator: "The worst of our drug problems is
methamphetamine, and our criminal justice system is increasingly burdened
with offenders who have horrendous chemical addictions. Overburdened and
underfunded law-enforcement agencies are hard pressed to meet the threat of
drugs and protect us from associated crimes, so an argument could be made
that decriminalization of marijuana would allow law enforcement and our
entire criminal justice system to focus more or meth and other hard drugs. I
cannot make that argument. The day may come when Montanans choose to
decriminalize marijuana. On an issue of this importance, the people should
decide."

Bob Brown, Republican, secretary of state and former legislator from
Whitefish: "The case has not been made for medical marijuana. It is a
dangerous narcotic that has contributed far more too social ills than any
medical ills it could relieve. The use of marijuana should remain illegal."

Pat Davison, Republican, business consultant from Billings: "I oppose
legalization and/or decriminalization of marijuana."

Tom Keating, Republican, petroleum land man and former state senator from
Billings: "I oppose legalization of marijuana for any reason."