ARIZONA: DRUG CZAR CRITICIZES BALLOT ISSUE

The federal drug czar, John P. Walters, denounced as a "stupid, insulting
con" a proposition on the state's Nov. 5 ballot that would decriminalize
possession of small amounts of marijuana. Mr. Walters, head of the Office
of National Drug Control Policy, made the remarks at an appearance with the
two major-party candidates for governor, the Democrat Janet Napolitano and
the Republican Matt Salmon. If passed, the proposition would decriminalize
the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use. Anyone
caught with that amount would be fined $250 for each of the first and
second offenses and personal use. Anyone caught with that amount would be
fined $250 for each of the first and second offenses and $750 for a third
or subsequent offense within two years.