cannabisnews.com: New Mexico Governor Advocates Legalization of Drug New Mexico Governor Advocates Legalization of Drug Posted by FoM on October 06, 1999 at 10:17:33 PT Transcripts - Aired October 5, 1999 - 8:06 p.m. ET Source: CNN JIM MORET, CNN ANCHOR: White House drug policy director Barry McCaffrey calls it "ignorant and irresponsible." "It" is a call by New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson to legalize drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Supporters say it could actually cut drug use. CNN's Charles Feldman on the controversy. THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): By at least one estimate, the United States spends some $40 billion each year fighting the war on drugs. But despite all the federal and local law enforcement efforts, only about 5 percent to 15 percent of the illegal drugs coming into the U.S. are actually seized. The rest of the drugs feed a $200-billion a year illicit business that caters to an estimated 13 million Americans each month. Gary Johnson thinks enough is enough. Gary Johnson thinks drugs -- everything from marijuana to heroin -- ought to be legalized. He says the war on drugs is an expensive bust. And why is what Gary Johnson thinks of any matter? Because he happens to be the governor of New Mexico and now has the distinction of the highest elected official in the nation to advocate the legalization of drugs. GOV. GARY JOHNSON (R), NEW MEXICO: Control it, regulate it, tax it. If you legalize it, we might actually have a healthier society. FELDMAN: While the Republican governor spoke before a conservative group in the nation's capital, the nation's drug policy director, Barry McCaffrey, was attending an event in Los Angeles celebrating the 17th anniversary of the drug-awareness program aimed at children called DARE. He calls the governor's position "irresponsible." BARRY MCCAFFREY, DRUG POLICY DIRECTOR: He's not listening to drug treatment experts and law enforcement authorities and educators in his own state, of the devastation that these drugs do on Americans. FELDMAN: The federal government contends the war on drugs is being won. It claims far fewer people abuse drugs now than back in 1979. Some, including the New Mexico governor, question the accuracy of the surveys. But even if the war on drugs is being lost, not won, as some contend, is legalization the answer? Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch suggests that drug legalization advocates have not thought things through. ED KOCH, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: Do you give a youngster drugs? And how about a woman who is carrying a fetus and the fetus will be adversely affected when she takes drugs? The state should make that legal? I don't think so. FELDMAN: But Governor Johnson advocates tight control of the drug supply and says a byproduct of his type of legalization may surprise people. JOHNSON: Let the government regulate it. Let the government grow it. Let the government manufacture it, distribute it, market it. If that doesn't lead to decreased drug use, I don't know what will. (LAUGHTER) FELDMAN: As a college student, Governor Johnson smoked grass. Now an athlete, he says he doesn't do drugs, alcohol or even some sugar products. He says it was a bad choice to use drugs when he was younger, but a choice he says that should not have risked landing him in jail. Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles. (END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT: http://www.fdch.com/ms4.htmlGovernor Gary Johnson's Home Pagehttp://www.governor.state.nm.us/ N.M. Governor Predicts Marijuana Legalization - 10/06/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3163.shtmlColumn: A More Sensible Drug Policy - 10/06/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3162.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 07, 1999 at 11:54:36 PT Good Comment Dankhank! Thank You for your comments. I sometimes just run out of time before I get back to responding but I read all the posts. Thanks for support Cannabis News! We have so many good web sites out there and I'm happy you have included C News as one of them!Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Dankhank on October 07, 1999 at 08:27:05 PT: Ignorance and Irresponsibility McCaffrey is raising to new heights the terms ignorance and irresponsibility. Sir, you do America no service when you persecute Americans for making a personal choice of recreation.You only serve to increase the level of hate and mistrust we Americans feel for the government when the government says that it knows better than we what we can and cannot do ...Sir .. STOP LOCKING MARIJUANA SMOKERS UP !!!!!!!http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.org to send your thoughts to the evil Drug Czar ... Hemp n Stuff [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: