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News (Media Awareness Project) - US MO: Former New Mexico Governor Pushes For Pot Legalization
Title:US MO: Former New Mexico Governor Pushes For Pot Legalization
Published On:2010-09-25
Source:Joplin Globe, The (MO)
Fetched On:2010-09-28 03:00:26
FORMER NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR PUSHES FOR POT LEGALIZATION

JOPLIN, Mo. -- For former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, educating
the masses is a key component in changing marijuana laws.

Johnson, who was in office from 1995 to 2002, spoke in Joplin over
the weekend as part of the 2010 Cannabis Revival. He talked about why
he believes marijuana prohibition is failing, what the war on drugs
is costing -- both in dollars and in lives -- and what needs to be
done about it. The event was held in Landreth Park.

Kelly Maddy, director of the Joplin chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Legislation and organizer of
the Cannabis Revival, said the weekend event was held as a way to
encourage public involvement in marijuana law reform.

According to Johnson, his interest in the drug war and the
legalization of marijuana peaked during his tenure as a governor when
he wanted to work to reduce New Mexico drinking and driving but was
told the state didn't have the resources to do so.

Johnson said roughly half of the money, court time and jail space
nationwide goes to dealing with drug-related offenses, something he
believes is not the best use of resources.

"Other people harming me, or having the potential to harm me, that's
real crime," he said.

Since then, Johnson has toured the country speaking on what he
believes needs to happen concerning marijuana laws.

Johnson and many of the members of national marijuana legalization
groups believe marijuana needs to be made legal, then regulated and
taxed just like alcohol. The former governor, who has experience
dealing with the issues of a border state, spoke about what not being
able to regulate the marijuana trade is costing society.

"Lives are lost by disputes being played out with guns instead of in
the courts," he said, citing the deaths that take place in connection
with the illegal marijuana trade.

Another issue Johnson thinks needs to be addressed is the current
political standpoint on drug laws.

"Politics is based on fear, and right now marijuana is looked at as
the cause of all evil," he said. Johnson said approximately 45
percent of the country favors legalizing marijuana, while no
politicians publicly do.

"Nowhere is there a disconnect as much as with drugs," he said.

Johnson believes the country is at a tipping point concerning drug
laws and believes the U.S. could see the legalization of marijuana in
the next 2 1/2 years, as the national opinion on marijuana and the
laws surrounding it shifts.

No vote in Joplin

An initiative petition calling for the decriminalization of marijuana
up to 35 grams in the city of Joplin failed in 2008 to get enough
signatures to place the issue on the November general election ballot.
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