NADER FAVORS LEGALIZING POT IN DRUG-LAW OVERHAUL

SANTA FE, N.M. - Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader
yesterday advocated the legalization of marijuana as part of an
overhaul of the nation's "self-defeating and antiquated drug laws."

Nader joined New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican, in
criticizing the "war on drugs" as a failed policy for fighting drug
use.

"Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to be treated as
a health problem," Nader said at a news conference with Johnson.

"We do not send alcoholics to jail in this country.

"We do not send nicotine users to jail in this country. Over 500,000
people are in our jails who are non-violent drug users," Nader said.

Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush oppose legalizing
marijuana, according to their campaign spokesmen.