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US NM: Johnson Bill Would Legalize Small Amounts of Pot S.U. Mahesh Albuquerque Journal (US) Saturday 06 Jan 2001 Pubdate: Sat, 06 Jan 2001 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Author: S.U. Mahesh, Journal Capitol Bureau JOHNSON BILL WOULD LEGALIZE SMALL AMOUNTS OF POT Gov. Gary Johnson, who has crusaded nationally for liberalized drug laws, said Friday he will ask the Legislature to consider eight bills to reform drug policies in New Mexico. The Republican governor's legislation would include decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use. The idea of reducing drug penalties -- even with the aim of focusing more on treatment -- immediately drew criticism from some lawmakers, including members of Johnson's own party. But, while he declined to name them, Johnson said some Democrats and Republicans have agreed, at least in principle, to sponsor his proposed drug bills. "Let's move from a criminalized model to a medical model," Johnson said at a news conference at the Capitol. "The bottom line isn't to lock people up. The bottom line is to help people out ... The bottom line is to reduce crime." Johnson has argued that the nation's "war on drugs" has been a failure and has spoken around the country in an effort to spark national discussion of drug policy reforms. But Senate President Pro Tem Manny Aragon, D-Albuquerque, said the state's upcoming legislative session, starting Jan. 16, will have other priorities, including education, health care and public safety. "We're going to put all our efforts into addressing those concerns," Aragon said. "I don't think ( Johnson's proposals are ) the main priority for the people of New Mexico." Reps. Ron Godbey, R-Albuquerque, and Thomas Taylor, R-Farmington, both members of the Legislature's interim Courts and Criminal Justice Committee, said they are opposed to Johnson's proposals. "I don't see the proposals made there are all that effective in improving the situation," Taylor said. Godbey contended that, contrary to Johnson's claims, crime and addictions have gone up wherever drugs have been legalized. "All these things he's been talking about have been tried in this country, and they failed," Godbey said. Rep. Joe Thompson R-Albuquerque, another member of the Courts and Criminal Justice Committee, said he wanted to see more details before commenting on the proposed bills. "I am a great admirer of Gov. Johnson," Thompson said. "I think his showing is incredible on this issue." Johnson's proposed reforms mirror recommendations by his Drug Policy Advisory Group earlier this week for sentencing reforms and more treatment options. The recommendations center on trying to move more nonviolent drug offenders out of the penal system and into drug treatment programs. The governor's drug advisers recommended decriminalizing marijuana possession up to an ounce and allowing the use of marijuana by cancer patients and others under certain medical treatments. Johnson, who has been a strong advocate of legalizing marijuana, called his drug advisers' report "a common-sense approach to drug policy. "I think this group has recommended balanced and smart strategies," the governor said. Based on the advisory group's recommendations, Johnson said he has directed David Miller of his staff to draft eight bills. Along with decriminalizing marijuana, some of Johnson's proposals to the Legislature would include: reducing first and second drug-possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors; abolishing mandatory habitual-sentencing laws for repeat drug offenders; and making syringes more easily available for addicts. "I am optimistic that this might actually get accomplished," Johnson said. "When you actually look at the bills, I find it difficult for anybody to disagree with any one of the bills." The governor argued that, in the long run, the proposed reforms would help to reduce drug-related problems in New Mexico. "The new bottom line is about saving lives; it's about reducing diseases; it's about saving money ... it's about cutting crime," Johnson said. The governor said "the entire nation, right now, is focused on New Mexico and drug reform and what we might actually accomplish." Johnson said he supports punishing those who sell drugs, including to kids, and those who harm others with their drug-related behavior. However, he said people who use marijuana within the confines of their own homes, without harming anyone but themselves, should not be penalized.
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