FOR VEEP, RICHARDSON WOULD BE 'PABULUM' TO FOE OF DRUG WAR

Should New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) be named John Kerry's
running mate for the November election, he won't be doing the ticket
any favors among one traditionally Democratic constituency: the drug
decriminalization crowd.

At least not as far as his predecessor, former Gov. Gary Johnson (R),
is concerned. At a reception hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance last
week, Johnson expressed dismay at Richardson's stewardship of his
signature issue, suggesting that the former congressman and energy
secretary lacks the kind of political courage necessary to take it
forward.

"He's pabulum," said Johnson, with a ring of irritation in his
voice.

In his eight years in the state Capitol, Johnson's tireless advocacy
of medical marijuana and drug decriminalization began to tilt the
issue from solidly Democratic to one that some Republicans have come
to embrace. Johnson was roundly opposed in his own state but became
something of a libertarian hero nationally. He has been traveling
recently with members of the Drug Policy Alliance and Marijuana Policy
Project to drum up support for the issue in other states.

Richardson has said he'll consider signing a medical marijuana bill
moving through the Legislature but also publicly distanced himself
from Johnson's policies at a meeting with the federal drug czar.