US NM: Politicians Back Drug Policy Changes

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S.U. Mahesh

Albuquerque Journal (US)

Wednesday 17 Jan 2001

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Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque Journal
Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/
Author: S.U. Mahesh, Journal Capitol Bureau

POLITICIANS BACK DRUG POLICY CHANGES

SANTA FE -- Two well-known politicians -- one a social liberal and the
other a staunch conservative -- are teaming up to promote drug law changes
proposed by Gov. Gary Johnson.

The Lindesmith Center, a drug-policy group with offices in New York City
and San Francisco, has hired former Democratic Gov. Toney Anaya and former
Republican state Sen. Mickey Barnett to lobby the Legislature on behalf of
Johnson's proposals.

"I think it's an excellent opportunity to forge a bipartisan, cutting-edge
drug policy for New Mexico," Anaya said Tuesday. "It's only the beginning,
an important beginning."

Barnett could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Along with decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use,
some of Johnson's proposals include reducing first and second
drug-possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors; repealing mandatory
habitual-sentencing laws for repeat drug offenders; and making syringes
more easily available for addicts.

Anaya, a staunch opponent of the death penalty, served as governor from
1983 to 1986. He revoked the death sentences of five inmates before he left
office.

Barnett, a GOP national committeeman for New Mexico, has lobbied for
Tennessee-based Cornell Corrections of America, Santa Ana Pueblo, the
former US West and Waste Control Specialists of Pasadena, Texas.

The Lindesmith Center partly funded Johnson's Drug Policy Advisory Group,
which recommended drug policy changes adopted by the governor.

Johnson is asking the Legislature to consider eight bills to change drug
policies in New Mexico.

The Republican governor has repeatedly argued that the nation's "war on
drugs" has been a failure and has spoken around the country in an effort to
spark a national discussion on drug policy.

Without naming anyone, Anaya said Democrats and Republicans in the
Legislature are willing to sponsor Johnson's proposals.

Johnson aide David Miller said the willingness of Anaya and Barnett to
lobby for such a controversial issue "gives increased credibility to the
package."

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