cannabisnews.com: Dendahl's Drug-Law Support Criticized





Dendahl's Drug-Law Support Criticized
Posted by FoM on March 06, 2001 at 13:09:51 PT
By Gilbert Gallegos, Tribune Reporter
Source: Albuquerque Tribune
By trying to prove bipartisan support for the governor's drug-reform package, state Republican Party Chairman John Dendahl might have re-ignited Republican opposition to the idea. Dendahl appeared at a news conference Monday at the Roundhouse to offer his support for efforts to change the state's drug laws.   Standing alongside former Democratic Gov. Toney Anaya, Dendahl said he wanted to reassure legislators -- Democrats and Republicans -- that he would not attack them if they support the drug-reform effort.
  "This is not a partisan issue," Dendhal said.   But House Republicans immediately moved to distance themselves from Dendahl's statements.   One critic, Rep. Ron Godbey, said Dendahl's continual support for changing drugs laws, including his approval of Johnsons desire to legalize marijuana, has gone too far.   "It could be that the pro-legalization side sees that all of these bills are in trouble, and they're pulling out the big guns to try to salvage what they can," said Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican.   "He (Dendahl) clearly has overstepped his boundary as chairman. And as such he should surrender his keys to the office and step down as chairman of the party."   Dendahl said he wouldn't back down from his views.   "I see no reason why someone elected to a position of leadership can't be courageous enough to point out that we have some public policy flaws that are much in need of debate and possible revision," Dendahl said.   House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs said while he did not agree with Godbey's call for Dendahl's resignation, he does feel it is necessary to point out Dendahl is not speaking for all Republicans in his support for drug reform.   "Dendahl is representing himself," Hobbs, of Albuquerque, said. "He does not represent the party. He does not represent Republican legislators. He does not represent me on this issue.   "I don't believe that an announcement like this will have a major impact, certainly on the Republican caucus."   Johnson has proposed eight bills aimed at easing drug laws so the state can shift its focus to treating drug abusers, rather than jailing them.   The bill garnering the most attention this legislative session is a measure to allow for the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Two bills to change medical marijuana laws are scheduled for committee hearings this week.   But several other measures dealing with more controversial drug-reform ideas have been stalled since the beginning of the session.   For example, Johnson also wants to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana -- making the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana subject to fines, rather than jail time. But the decriminalization bill has not yet been heard in any committees.   Anaya, who is lobbying on behalf of the drug-reform package, said he is not yet worried that the bills are moving too slowly.   "I'm not concerned about the timing," Anaya said. Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)Author: Gilbert Gallegos, Tribune ReporterPublished: March 6, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque TribuneAddress: P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109Contact: letters abqtrib.comWebsite: http://www.abqtrib.com/Contact Information - Governor Johnson Phone: (505) 827-3000Fax: (505) 827-3026Address: State Capitol, 4th FloorSanta Fe, NM 87503 E-mail: gov gov.state.nm.usWeb: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/CannabisNews Articles - Governor Gary Johnsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=gary+johnson 
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