Gary Johnson on Ending Marijuana Prohibition: ‘It’s Gonna Happen’
Check out former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson (R) — an expected 2012 presidential contender — discussing the need to end marijuana prohibition last night on MSNBC.
“I think it is at a tipping point, and people are ahead of the politicians on this one, and it’s still gonna happen. It’s gonna happen. I think statistically we’re about two and half years from 50 percent of Americans actually understanding this. From my own experience it’s really thin ice. With just a little bit of knowledge on this issue, people seem to move on this issue. People seem to be embracing this notion of, ‘Gee, it’s not working, we really have to do something different.’”
Tagged with: Gary Johnson and MSNBC by the author
56 comments
Register to vote and tip it on over.
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Register. Vote. Change things. Share the links.
This guy is very vocal about prohibition, he has my vote.
Gary has MY vote too.
Gary Johnson 2012!
http://www.ouramericainitiative.com
It is nice to hear good news that are sensible and highly intelligent about marijuana legalization.
Hearing the oppositions and proposition on marijuana legalization sometimes makes feel like I’m on “death row” for liking cannabis, but this time I hope for the good news to save us all from prohibition.
It’s weird to say, but I may also become a one issue voter. It’s time.
VOTE YES ON PROP 19…Help California lead the way to freedom.
I have Ms, I feel no one should tell me that I can’t have cannabis. It makes me feel better, and it eases my pain. The reasons for why it is illegal is comical. Our ignorant passed and propaganda has gone far enough.
decriminalize!
Any election this man is in, he has my vote.
this is good to hear, we need to make sure he becomes a presidential candidate.
This is the guy I have been telling MPP and NORML about for about 5 months. He was on Colbert Report almost 6 months ago. This is our man. Dems and Republicans will vote this man in. GET OUT OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!! Gary Johnson, welcome to Presidency.
I voted for him 1st time around.
MAKE EVERY ELECTION A ONE ISSUE ELECTION!!!!
Cannabis prohibition now exists only so that our FOR PROFIT PRISON SYSTEM can continue providing jobs for jar heads and so that slavery is resurrected.
It is vitally important to vote for Gary Johnson in the Republican Primary election for President in the coming year from now. I live in a state that has an open primary so I don’t have to register as either a Republican or a Democrat. But those of you who do need to register with your respective party, in this case, Republican. We need… NO we HAVE to make sure that Gary gets on the ticket. Start spreading the mans name around your town, and among family and friends. Do some quick research on his stance on important topics. And KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE and what they will be inclined to listen too from you about him. Craft the conversation. Gary is probably our last hope before total NATIONAL MELTDOWN and FAILURE. It is Imperative that we give him a fair chance among the Washington elite and powerful. BE THE CHANGE WE WANTED. I have a Gary Johnson for President 2012 sticker on the back of my car RIGHT NOW.
George Bush brought us fake patriotism. Obama brought us fake change. Gary Johnson is a breath of fresh air. Vote for Gary.
Hey #12, where do you get the bumper sticker?
Also, people, we need to get this video out!
I watched Gary on Sean Hannity show. And I never hear of him before but I think he is fantastic. He is perfect choice for prez. Sean is going to keep eyes on him. I will vote him for sure in 2012. Can’t wait to do this. Please spread words to all.
Aaron @ 12
Where can I receive bumper sticker?
Why is it all that all these former politicians all of a sudden think prohabition is a bad idea. They come out and say it when no body gives a damn what they think anymore. “I am sick of it” it drives me nuts, why people all of a sudden grow a back bone after they are a washed up has been
I guess it’s a start
Sounds like the last comment he made about “tryingto implement this in ’99 in New Mexico” is his cop out already. How many years in office if he’s elected now will he spend saying he’s “trying”.——————–
Sorry folks, I don’t buy it. Time after time politicians talk the talk then back track. What could possibly be any different with this guy? How many times must we he burned before we stop placing our hand in fire. Time to extinguish this Greek Fire instead of relentlessly playing along trying to get burned.
The obstinence we face from politicians on cannabis is the same obstinence we face with real ‘Change” Obama spoke of……money.
#17
In the end our votes are better placed with the candidate that supports cannabis law reform, even if it is something he back tracks on it later, than with the candidate that says he/she is against it. Gary Johnson really now owns the issue of drug law reform. And he will live or die by it. He is correct; this is something he has been vocal about going back to his time as Governor. Him flip flopping on the issue would be more damaging to his campaign then if he kept towing the Libertarian line.
In a democracy one man cannot make the laws. If no other politician will touch the issue, there is nothing he can do. As president, he would only face stronger resistance. He can’t force yes votes. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t vote for him.
Gary in. Obama out. I like it. Let’s do it.
How about instead all of you people vote for Ron Paul. He is someone that all along has been for cannabis legalization and is far less likely in my opinion to backtrack on his stance. Don’t vote for someone that goes back and forth with their stance on an issue vote for someone that has been loyal from the beginning!
Ah who am I kidding politicians are all about money and power anyways, just look at Obama and his great “Change” that came with him.
Do none of you understand what insanity is? Its when you keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
Every one of you keeps thinking, just a couple more years of this guy and we can get someone into office who WILL make a difference. How long will it take for you all to realize the only thing that will make a difference is when you get up and do it for yourselves instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you?
The problem with our democratic system is that all we have to vote for are politicians. We are presented with a limited number of people who are approved by the powers that be to vote for. We’re not going to get any real change as long as this process goes on. Sure you can write in votes and their are candidates on the ballot ranging from independent to librarians but lets be honest. Everyone knows that a vote for anyone other than the Republican or Democratic candidate is just a wasted vote. We need to remove the whole party system from politics.
If we really want MJ legalized, we need to show the wealthy how they could get even wealthier if it is legal. They are the true power behind the scenes. Lets not fool ourselves. To the real power, it’s a business decision and not a civil rights issue.
Thank you, Gary. But, we don’t have 2 1/2 years to wait. The people will get it faster if you come right out and repeat the mantra we’ve been putting up with the downside of having a marijuana market, a marijuana demand in this country for 40 years, with the examples of support as evidence that he mentioned, and that it’s about time that we reap the benefits of having a marijuana market.
Mantra: We’ve been putting up with the downsides of having a marijuana market for too long and it’s time we reap the benefits of having one by getting rid of prohibition.
It is a concise meme. Coach Gary and others on how to integrate it into to their well thought out calls for legalization/arguments if in a debate mode.
am i a republican now??? HAHA? JK!! JK!! i’m telling you, like everybody knows here. this will be a HUGE silent MAJORITY in november. i hope they take a look here. the people ARE WAY AHEAD OF WASHINGTON. to bad the Dem’s dropped the ball AGAIN. Pres. Obama get a clue man!!! you gonna have your own people turn on you. thanks alot , AGAIN!!!!!
I think we should hold all politicians accountable by the threat of a COURT ORDERED death penalty if they don’t deliver what the people want. That will seperate the men from the boys.
marijuana prohibition (drug free America and world) is a State religion based on (false) beliefs not science. As such – it is repugnant to both the 1st and 10th amendments of the Constitution. When a corporation has lost its way – they go back to their mission statement – and re-affirm or revise. Our mission statement is the Declaration of Independence. We are clearly in that realm referred to in the Declaration of independence described as “a long chain of abuses”
No knock raids, police routinely killing civilians, corruption, politicians refusing to represent the will of the people, violating the constitution, unreasonable and unjust punishments for exercising a God-given right to responsibly use a plant, prisons considered a growth industry, police have militarized and have developed an” us versus them” mentality instead of a “to protect and serve” ideology… to name just a few.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism,
it is their right,
it is their duty,
to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
Hi, Mike 61 / MPP:
I’ve sent posts of links to the Cali and South Dakota voter registration sites and it seems to get hung up in “awaiting moderation.” I’m wondering if inclusion of URLs might be creating a problem with the posting as a “Comment” and that got me to thinking: Would MPP be interested in creating a button or something that says “Click here to Register to Vote” and “Click here to Vote as an Absentee?” A couple of buttons on the homepage might do more to get people registered than to simply have the info buried as a comment. If you’re interested in creating the link-to-register and a link-to-vote-by-mail page, I’ll be happy to gather info and pass it along to you. I’ll keep an eye out here for an expression of interest on your part, or you can reach me by email at my address in the Comments database.
Marijuana issues makes President Obama very nervous. I like to see him try to make a serious speech without using a teleprompter and tell the American people why he supports marijuana prohibition. Is it also the citizens of the United States business to know why? Marijuana prohibition is causing serious problems and denying it doesn’t help.
It is a very big issue.
I live in New Mexico and Gary Johnson proposed an end to Cannabis prohibition several times during his tenure in office. I have personally had the pleasure of hearing the former Governor of New Mexico lecture specifically on the topic of Cannabis law reform.
HE IS A FORCE OF REASON.
If you have a chance too, Vote for Gary Johnson in 2012.
We’ve got a friend in Gary.
Remember to SUPPORT IT!
California Residents: Get off your lazy stoner asses and DO SOMETHING! ROCK THE VOTE DAMN IT.
IT IS YOU, THE YOUTH OF CALIFORNIA, WHO HAVE THE ULTIMATE POWER TO END CANNABIS PROHIBITION FOREVER.
JUST DO IT!
A group of politicians took it upon themselves to create a LIST of Controlled-Substances which they claim have limited to no medical utility. Question? Isn’t that illegal? Practing medicine without a license?
An individual who practices or holds himself out as practicing a health profession subject to regulation without a license or registration or under a suspended, revoked, lapsed, void, or fraudulently obtained license or registration, or outside the provisions of a limited license or registration, or who uses as his own the license or registration of another person,
is guilty of a felony.
For the purpose of the offense of practicing medicine without a license, the “practice of medicine” means the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, cure, or relieving of a human disease, ailment, defect, complaint, or other physical or mental condition, by attendance, advice, device, diagnostic test, or other means, or offering, undertaking, attempting to do, or holding oneself out as able to do, any of these acts.
“Organize” a candidate along with a team to bring direct democracy to the country. Who the candidate is not important since it will be the voice of the people. No need for a party or election vows, just copy paste the will of the people. MJ will automatically be legal wherever it is wanted
+ he´s got my vote.. even though i dont live in the us..
The Bumper Stickers can be purchased @
http://www.johnsonforamerica.com
more specifically
http://www.cafepress.com/garyjohnson2012
He is more open about legislation than Obama. Like he said, no one in office of the presidency wants to touch it. That is correct! He said give it 2 years. Hmm, Is that when the election is? Why politicians are reluctant for people to feel good beats me. Anyway, he has my vote.
RK: GREAT POINT!!!!!
Why hasn’t this been addressed before?????
The Control Substance Act of 1970 was created by the late former President Richard Nixon with the help of Attorney General John N. Michell. Attorney General John N. Michell was the first Attorney General sent to federal prison.
The first listing of the law was passed by congress without any medical review.
The law was a direct attack and a personal revenge against the people that President Nixon hated the most, college hippies.
The law is unconstitutional, but no one wants to challenge it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_Substances_Act
Note: There were many challenges that Cannabis was unfairly placed in the (CSA of 1970) but it was politically blocked by several congressmen.
I was surprised that there were many cannabis issues challenging the Control Substance Act but was blocked by political opposition.
The history of the Control Substance Act of 1970 does help the cannabis legalization.
#19
I see your point, made a similar one myself years ago and had heard that stance for decades. Problem is it is not very reiliable. Just tired of getting hopes up I guess. No worries, if I;m wrong, that would end up being good news!!
Course its not like theres many options for individuals to pursue. I’ve done the lobbying, the protesting. Even walked right into law enforcement terrority politely declaring my freedom which I was graciously rewarded with a couple years probation.
Trouble is the way to get things done carries risks most people don’t cho0se to take. Understandable for some who only see marijuana as a recreational priveledge. However, for those of us who require it medically and/or acknowledge it as an act against freedom, these risks should be far less than the consequence of doing nothing.
I’ve yet to come up with a “nice” reason to choose to refrain from trying. I guess a popular argument I’m told involves when activist refrain when they have children but I guess I feel differently there. I f I was ever taken from my kids while protesting the atrocity of prohibition, or hurt myself or them while seizing without taking this herbal medicine, this outcome seems worse when I’m playing along and cowering to this inhuman control. I certainly wouldnt want to teach them that or have them that far off clue on how irrational the majority behaves.
ive never voted Republican before but Gary Johnson will get my vote 2012 if he runs….
Marijuana Prohibition is like the old Soviet Union. Come to think of it, it is exactly like the old Soviet Union.
I agree wit CC up there. Get that register to vote button on MPP right away!
Gary Johnson is correct in presuming that ‘it’s gonna happen’…
but it won’t happen with organizations like MPP pulling their funding
when polling numbers are showing 42 percent in support of legalization in California. … Hmmm, I wonder why MPP is so under funded? … Could it be that key financial backers are leaving MPP and taking their funding with them?
Still feel good about giving Rob Kampia a slap on the wrist?
Was it worth the loss of Bruce Mirken, your comms. director, and the head of the board, including all of his funding as well???
Well MPP is Rob Kampia still worth it?
How dare you back out when advocates on the ground in Nevada NEED YOUR SUPPORT THE MOST.
SHAME UPON THE LEADERSHIP OF MPP.
YOU ARE MAKING POOR, POOR CHOICES AND IT WILL RUIN THIS ONCE GREAT ORGANIZATION.
As far I’m concerned, MPP is NOT the leading group fighting for reform of Marijuana laws.
MPP IS A JOKE. I have lost all respect for your organization, and I WILL NOT give you a single dime of my money, when you would flounder like you have these past two years.
You are not transparent and you should be more accountable to your supporters.
Shame, Shame on you MPP.
correction, polling shows 42 percent support in NEVADA.
The info I’ve seen I think was over on the “other” well known cannabis activism webpage… Do you know the one..? Yeah. . Anyhow. I think it said something like 5o to 40 in favor of legalization. 10% undecided. BUT It was a small pool of people like 1000 random calls probably but anyway Ive read and heard similar elsewhere too.
I’m talking about California and Prop 19. ONLY 3 months away
#40
I understand the frustration. Politicians as a whole should never be trusted. But we are currently living in a unique time is American politics. Can you imagine what would have happened if a Republican Presidential candidate espoused the kinds of things that Mr. Johnson has said openly on national TV back in 1992? My God the county would have ground to a halt and that candidate would have been kicked out of the party! Can you imagine a prop. 19 back then? Not a chance in hell it would have even made the ballot. Mention storefront medical marijuana dispensaries in our nations capital and people would have wet themselves.
What has changed? Well much to the chagrin of many idealistic stoners, it comes down to the all American $$$. The American people have seen 3 former users elected president and they have also seen billions circle the drain in an effort to eradicate it. Only to see the issue grow larger by the year. The hard economic times and our country’s need for a change that never came has combined to give us our best opportunity to finally overturn these archaic laws.
I will always have my vote. It’s not much but it means a lot to me. Now I don’t care if I’m the only one voting for the guy, he has no chance of winning, and once I exit the booth he jumps out and yells “Sucker! I ain’t changin’ shit!” I’ll be back 4 years later to vote for the same line from a different mouth. Does it make any difference? Maybe not. But if enough of us are voting for that line eventually some politician is going to try to capitalize on that. Are they manipulating us? At that point I think we’re manipulating them. That’s the America I know and love.
RK-Excellent point!!! I always mention that to everyone.
Aaron- thanks!
Gary Johnson is anti-Nixon…………just saying.
MPP is not going to help us!
VOTE YES ON PROP 19
And MPP won’t help the Prop 19 campaign because it does not support their agenda for a legal cannabis market in California.
MPP authored and supports legislation to legalize, but only
on THEIR terms.
That’s why they are rejecting the pleas of advocates.
We, The People, WILL LEGALIZE CANNABIS IN CALIFORNIA.
with or without your help MPP…
but… i’m sure that once we do get it done…
You’ll see a nice little blurb on MPP.ORG telling us all how great MPP is and how hard they fought for us..
yeahhhh riiight… my ass they’ve fought for us..
this is OUR MOVEMENT..
MPP is not our movement.
they are capitalizing on OUR movement..
never forget this fact.
if weed were made legal..the drug cartels in mexico would have a business problem…our laws here are not only unfair to the people, but the laws have also created a market, an industry, that is tearing Mexico apart…this is the fall-out of our many decades long drug war….more powerful cartels than ever…..more violence
Oh, it’s definitely going to happen. My question is what are they going to do about the criminal charges they’ve pressed on people with small amounts of Marijuana? Do those charges stay on the person’s record or do they come off as misdemeanors now?
J Smith-
http://www.RollingPaperDepot.com
A Republican as president would turn the Democrats in congress against the issues he is in favor of. It’s better to take a chance that Obama might remember his former campaign promises. I predict drug reform will likely be an issue again in the next election for the Democratic nomination. As Obama won the last time, expressing his interest in legalizing pot won’t likely hurt him next time. Obama will most likely be the next Democratic nominee for president. Incumbents always have a very good shot at it.
Gary Johnson is not likely to win the Republican nomination if he tells Republicans he is in favor of legalizing marijuana so it would be better for him not to make drug reform an issue should he run for office. Remember he has to win the Republican nomination before he can run for president in the national election. His coming out now for legalization may have hurt his chances of winning the nomination as his opponents may likely make an issue of it. If he somehow wins the Republican nomination anyhow, legalization of marijuana would not be an issue in the national election as both Republican and Democratic candidates, should Obama win the Democratic nomination, would be in favor of legalization. This would not sway any voters to Johnson.
Everyone has their conscience but if you are a one issue voter, voting for Obama is the better way to go. IMHO.
A few things to think about. Now, “back to my hole in the ground where I hide”, to quote Pink Floyd.
Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement of Obama or the Democratic party.
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