cannabisnews.com: Johnson Visits Senate, House Johnson Visits Senate, House Posted by FoM on January 25, 2001 at 09:11:28 PT By Loie Fecteau, Journal Politics Writer Source: Albuquerque Journal Gov. Gary Johnson, recovering from a fall on the ice while running last week, got his new back brace signed by lawmakers Wednesday when he paid surprise visits to the House and Senate floors. Johnson, who called his injury a broken back, dropped by the Capitol for a couple of hours on his way home from a morning visit to his doctor. He said he hoped to begin easing back into his regular work schedule. "I hope to get back a little bit more each day," said Johnson, who was dressed in jeans and cowboy boots and wore his plastic brace over a white T-shirt. "I'll play that by ear." Johnson, 48, suffered compression fractures to two vertebrae near his shoulder blades when he slipped on ice while running in Santa Fe before dawn on Jan. 17. Johnson, an accomplished triathlete and competitive skier, told reporters the pain from the injury was "terrible." "It really does hurt," he said. "I guess that comes with a broken back." Johnson said he was taking Valium and Percocet for the pain, which he said helps, but "doesn't alleviate it." After visiting briefly with his staff, Johnson went down to the Senate and House floors to chat with lawmakers. "I didn't mean to interrupt the business of the Senate, but if you all would take a few minutes and sign my brace it would be appreciated," Johnson said as he entered the Senate chamber. "Actually, the governor's here lobbying for medical marijuana," quipped Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doņa Ana. Johnson, an outspoken critic of the nation's "war on drugs" has called for decriminalization of minor marijuana possession and says the drug should be available for certain medical treatments, such as nausea relief for cancer patients. Johnson, speaking with reporters, praised the election of Sen. Richard Romero, D-Albuquerque, over Sen. Manny Aragon, D-Albuquerque, for president pro tem of the Senate. "I just think it is very positive and I'm really optimistic," Johnson said. Dee Johnson, who accompanied her husband on his first visit back to the Capitol since his injury, described him as a "terrible" patient. He gets better each day about "accepting the injury," she said, but it was difficult for an active man like Johnson to be bedridden. "He dropped by against my protests on the way back from the doctor," Dee Johnson said of the governor's visit to the Capitol. "This is just to let everyone know that he's still here," she said. "He's still governor. He's still alive." Johnson said he had spent most of the last week in bed. He said he has to wear the brace for about six weeks while he is out of bed. The brace helps hold the vertebrae in proper position while they heal and provides support. Johnson spent part of the 1996 legislative session on crutches after he injured his left knee during a ski race at Red River.Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)Author: Loie Fecteau, Journal Politics WriterPublished: Thursday, January 25, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque JournalAddress: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103Contact: opinion abqjournal.comWebsite: http://www.abqjournal.com/Contact Information: Governor Gary JohnsonPhone: (505) 827-3000Fax: (505) 827-3026Address: State Capitol, 4th FloorSanta Fe, NM 87503 E-mail: gov gov.state.nm.usWeb: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/Related Articles:Governor Fractures Spine in Fallhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8354.shtmlGovernor Johnson Hospitalizedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8352.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Governor Gary Johnsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=gary+johnson Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Dave in Florida on January 25, 2001 at 15:41:51 PT Fire up a fat one >Johnson, an accomplished triathlete and competitive skier, told reporters the pain from the injury was "terrible." >"It really does hurt," he said. "I guess that comes with a broken back."I broke my hip last year, you never guess what worked for me. :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 25, 2001 at 11:49:28 PT Picture of Governor Johnson http://cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/33/33376.jpgAARON WILSON/JOURNALGov. Gary Johnson shows reporters his plastic back brace Wednesday, which was quickly covered with the signatures of lawmakers, lobbyists and other well-wishers when he returned briefly to the Capitol. Johnson was injured in a pre-dawn fall on the ice while running in Santa Fe on Jan. 17. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Duzt on January 25, 2001 at 10:43:33 PT Just a thought..... I've read several times where Gov. Johnson says he wants to leave political life after his term. It's sad to see one of our very few honest and truly compassionate public officials leave. I think he should run for Pres in 2004. An honest, sincere, compassionate President who isn't afraid to say what we all feel and who could really make a difference. It would be nice to have a Presidential office that isn't filled with multi-millionaires who really could care less. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: