JOHNSON HINTS THAT DRUG REFORM WILL BE HIS CAREER

SANTA FE - Gov. Gary Johnson further hinted that he may make a career
of fighting against the "War on Drugs" after he leaves office.

After signing the final drug-policy reform bills as governor of New
Mexico, Johnson acknowledged Friday that he is weighing several
options for continuing his crusade.

He declined to say specifically what those offers are, although he
admitted some options are "potentially" national in scope.

"I've just got some things in the works," Johnson said during a news
conference after signing the bills. "And until they actually come to
fruition, and we actually dot an `i' or cross a `t' on some of them,
I'd just as soon not (comment)."

During past interviews, Johnson, a Republican who is in his eighth
and final year in office, has only said he will retire from politics
when he leaves the Governor's Office - the only elected position he
has ever served. The former business owner plans to live in Taos.

Johnson did say Friday that he will continue to make speeches about
drug-policy reform during the final 10 months in office.

For example, he is going to address the state Libertarian party
conventions in Massachusetts and Wisconsin in April.

Drug reform is on the agenda, Johnson said.

However, Johnson slapped down speculation that he might use his
national exposure on the drug-reform issue to run for the Libertarian
Party's nomination as a candidate for president in 2004.

"If I were ever to do that (run for president) I would want to win,"
he said. "And I really think that the Libertarian candidate doesn't
have that chance."

Legislators, mostly Republicans, who have been critical of Johnson's
stance on drugs have accused the governor of ignoring more important
issues while he is away from the state giving speeches.

Some have said Johnson is more concerned with advancing his pet
issue, and perhaps his career once he leaves office, than with
resolving differences with legislators.

Johnson's last chance at easing the state's drug laws ended when the
Legislature adjourned in mid-February.

Legislators passed three of the six pieces of Johnson's drug-reform
package during the recent 30-day session.

Those bills, which will become law now that Johnson has signed them,
no longer allow police to seize assets of drug offenders unless they
are convicted of a crime; give judges more flexibility when
sentencing people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses (July 1); and
allow convicted drug offenders to be eligible for federal benefits,
such as welfare or food stamps (effective date is unclear).

Johnson also signed one other bill, which he characterized as a
drug-reform measure, that could potentially ease overcrowding in
prisons. Nonviolent drug offenders in the final 180 days of their
sentences could walk out of prison if the population reaches 100
percent of capacity under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart, a
Northeast Heights Democrat.

The bill becomes law immediately.

Johnson said he was disappointed that the three most important pieces
of his package were rejected by legislators.

Legislators killed bills that would have legalized marijuana for some
medical patients, decriminalized the possession of small amounts of
marijuana, and allowed judges to send some nonviolent drug offenders
to treatment rather than putting them in jail.

Former Gov. Toney Anaya, who lobbied on behalf of the governor's
drug-reform plan, said he hopes the effort will continue even after
Johnson leaves office.

"I think all of these have laid the groundwork," Anaya said of the
legislation passed this year and in 2001. "And I would hope that
future legislatures and future governors will step up to the plate
and complete the work that has been started here."