BLAGOJEVICH ADMITS SMOKING POT IN COLLEGE

SPRINGFIELD -- Even the best choreographed press conference can go up in
smoke, as Democratic U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich discovered Monday.

Blagojevich scheduled a press conference in the Statehouse to announce he
had been endorsed by a trade organization representing Illinois retailers.

Blagojevich, 45, of Chicago, was proud that he'd won the backing of a
pro-business group over his Republican opponent, Attorney General Jim Ryan.

But, the announcement quickly veered off track when one reporter asked
Blagojevich: Have you "ever used marijuana or any other illegal drug during
your life?"

The following was the exchange between Blagojevich and reporters:

Blagojevich: "You know, that opens up a whole door of questions about what
you've done when you're young. Did I try marijuana when I was young? The
answer is 'yes.' Did I use any other kind of illegal drug? The answer is 'no.'"

Reporter: What were the circumstances of the marijuana? College?

Blagojevich: "You're on the right track."

Reporter: Did you inhale?

Blagojevich: "I did it (tried marijuana) twice. I'm a nonsmoker. I don't
like it. I run. I never liked the smell of it. It was a smell that all of
our generation are very familiar with. I'm sure I'm not the only one in
this room who can recognize that smell."

Reporter: You don't know that you inhaled? You'd probably feel it in your
lungs if you did.

Blagojevich: "Then I probably didn't. I just don't know. I did it twice. I
was so inept at it, that I don't know if I did or didn't."

Reporter: Did you get the munchies?

Blagojevich: "No."

Reporter: Would you support legislation to legalize (marijuana)?

Blagojevich: "No. The evidence is this: It's a gateway drug. If kids start
smoking it at early ages like 12 or 13, they are more likely to go on to
more serious drugs."

A spokesman for Jim Ryan told The Associated Press that Ryan has never used
any illegal drugs.