The Marijuana Policy Project is eagerly reminding people that Sarah Palin once smoked marijuana.

The group's release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Noting that his just-announced vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has acknowledged having smoked marijuana, reform advocates today urged Sen. John McCain to respect states' rights to set their own marijuana policies if he is elected president.

On Aug. 6, 2006, the Anchorage Daily News reported, "Palin said she has smoked marijuana — remember, it was legal under state law, she said, even if illegal under U.S. law — but says she didn't like it and doesn't smoke it now.

"I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled." The paper quoted Palin as saying she opposed legalization of marijuana because of the "message" that would be sent to her children.

"Governor Palin is one of many millions of Americans who have used marijuana and gone on to live productive, wildly successful lives," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "That she used marijuana is no big deal, but what is a big deal is that she thinks that the 100 million Americans who have used marijuana, including herself, belong in jail. That wouldn't be good for her kids.

"Perhaps most importantly, Alaska is one of 12 states that allow the medical use of marijuana, and one in five Americans currently live in those states. The heavy hand of the federal government has trampled state authority and tried to interfere with the implementation of these state-level medical marijuana laws. The GOP ticket should embrace the time-honored Republican principle of local control by promising to end the federal government's war on sensible medical marijuana laws in both red and blue states."

Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have medical marijuana laws. New Mexico's is the latest, passed by the Legislature last year. Montana's medical marijuana law appeared on the November 2004 ballot, receiving 62 percent of the vote, exceeding George W. Bush's total of 59 percent.

With more than 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin is a hit with conservatives if the reaction veteran conservative guru Richard Viguerie is any indication.

"McCain has chosen to balance his ticket with a principled conservative.  Governor Palin's life story is one of sticking to principle.  She is living proof that a person can take on the corrupt political establishment - including corrupt leaders in her own party - and achieve great things," Viguerie said.

"There's an old expression in politics: Go along to get along.  Not this time.  The selection of Sarah Palin is one big kick-in-the-pants to the corrupt establishment in both parties.

"Congratulations to John McCain for hearing and responding to conservatives.  Conservatives, the base of the party, have been listless.  But, now, nearly all will work enthusiastically for the McCain-Palin ticket.  In fact, this is the most enthusiastic conservatives have been since the era for Ronald Reagan.

"This is a grand-slam home run.  Conservatives' feet haven't touched the ground since this announcement."

Rep. Rahm emanuel, D-Il., the chairman of the House Democratic caucus, issued this statement on the Palin pick:

"After trying to make experience the issue of this campaign, John McCain celebrated his 72nd birthday by appointing a former small town mayor and brand new Governor as his Vice Presidential nominee.

"Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the Presidency? Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this Vice Presidential pick doesn't show judgement: it shows political panic."

The Obama campaign's Bill Burton issued this statement on the selection of Sarah Palin:

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.

"Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies - that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same."

CNBC's John Harwood reports that John McCain has selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a self-styled "hockey mom" who has only been governor for a little over a year, is GOP Presidential candidate John McCain's choice for Vice President, CNBC has learned," he reports.

"According to a Republican strategist, Palin is the nominee, though McCain's campaign has not comfirmed this."