cannabisnews.com: Governor On Both Sides of Pot Issue Governor On Both Sides of Pot Issue Posted by FoM on April 20, 2001 at 11:55:49 PT By Sharon Kehnemui Source: FoxNews There's no place an anti-drug message would be less popular than at a meeting of the National Organiziation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. But that didn't stop New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson from passing on his message."If there is one thing I would like you to take away from my talk today it is the following: Don't do drugs," Johnson told the annual conference at the Renaissance Hotel ballroom in Washington, D.C., Thursday. The 250 or so members in attendance were more enchanted by Johnson's call for legalization, an effort he tried to pass in New Mexico this year but which stalled in the state legislature."First and foremost, I think we need to legalize marijuana," Johnson said. "We need to look at harm reduction strategies for all these other drugs ... doing harm to someone else should be criminal and that's what we ought to be focused on."Federal laws are unlikely to change anytime soon, according to a White House spokesman. As governor of Texas, President Bush began a "Right Choices Campaign" that emphasized teaching kids the dangers of drugs, but the president believes that law enforcement, combined with education and treatment are the best means to fight the drug war, said White Hosue spokesman Jimmy Orr."The president said he believes there is a responsibility to confront the problem of illegal drug use because it is destroying neighborhoods," Orr said. The president has yet to name a "czar" to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy.Johnson said that he proposed a set of 12 laws for his state, including legalization. Six of the bills passed the legislature and were signed into law."My promise to New Mexicans was you pass these 12 bills and I guarantee you violent crime will decrease; property crime will decrease; overdose, hepatitis B, HIV will decrease; there will be fewer nonviolent criminals behind bars; we will spend more money on education, more money on treatment in the state of New Mexico," he said.Johnson said he would try to revive the failed bills and come up with some new ones before his term ends in two years.The governor has become a mini-celebrity among pot enthusiasts for his libertarian views and opposition to drug laws. A three-time Ironman triathlete and two-term governor who supports term limits, Johnson is very candid about his own extensive pot use years ago. He said he hasn't had a drink in 13 years, much less a drug, and he repeatedly urged the audience to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and drugs. But, he said, his personal experience with the issue enhances his ability to see both sides. "I am not unlike 80 million Americans; I have smoked marijuana. It's something that I did. And I understand its use. I understand the impairment from marijuana and I can speak from that experience. I am not unknowledgeable about this, although in retrospect, I think I probably wasted some time, not at the time, but in retrospect."Johnson said that he continues to assist the Drug Enforcement Administration in its border operations but is not going out of his way to offer support."I believe I have an obligation to change the law. Should we turn a blind eye to the law? No, we shouldn't turn a blind eye to the law. So, we're basically maintaining status quo with regard to arrests. There is a heightened awareness among New Mexico law enforcement, but we're not thwarting the DEA's effort," he said.He also said that the current laws result in the arrests of far too many Americans."The Drug Enforcement Administration is saying that there are 14 million users in this country and we're arresting 1.6 million people a year. I reject that we are arresting one out of eight drug users in this country. I reject that and if you do the math, if you go over the last eight or 10 years, we have arrested half the people who have used drugs when you start adding up the millions that have been arrested on drug related crime."Complete Title: Criticizing, Then Legalizing: Governor On Both Sides of Pot IssueSource: FoxNews.comAuthor: Sharon KehnemuiPublished: Friday, April 20, 2001Copyright: Fox News Network, LLC 2001 Contact: comments foxnews.com Website: http://www.foxnews.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Governor Gary Johnson's Home Pagehttp://www.governor.state.nm.us/Gov. Preaches to Choir on Drug Reform http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9424.shtmlThe Pol & The Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9421.shtmlGovernor Rouses Choir With Drug Standhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9416.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Harvey Pendrake on April 20, 2001 at 18:23:53 PT Fox News: We Report, You Decide... OK, I've decided you're a bunch of idiots (FoxNews).I saw Gov. Johnson on C-SPAN last night and anyone who heard him speak would really have to be stupid to come to the conclusion that he is "on both sides" of the pot issue. The man's message is simple: DON'T DO DRUGS. DRUGS ARE A HANDICAP. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ARRESTED FOR DOING DRUGS.These "journalists" cannot get used to the idea that many people, more and more every day, are figuring out that marijuana use isn't criminal. It doesn't mean they use cannabis. It means they don't think people should be in jail for using it. This isn't taking "both sides" -- it's taking one side...the rational side."The president said he believes there is a responsibility to confront the problem of illegal drug use because it is destroying neighborhoods," Orr said. If the president actually believes that, he deserves his reputation as a dimwit. Prohibition is destroying neighborhoods. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by meagain on April 20, 2001 at 17:15:44 PT No way "The president said he believes there is a responsibility to confront the problem of illegal drug use because it is destroying neighborhoods," Orr said. The president has yet to name a "czar" to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy.I am sorry but this is a total crock if anything marijuana brings neighbors together.Those uppity-up anti neighbors that do not use pot never "socialize" with their neighbors they are too busy sticking their nose in the tv or a case of beer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by ras james rsifwh on April 20, 2001 at 15:34:08 PT CHRIS MATHEWS...HARDBALL Gov. Johnson appeared on Chris Mathews' "Hardball" television show last night. Chris Mathews twice said a person who smokes marijuana cannot drive a car because that person is so high that they would not be capable of making a decision on whether or not to get into their car. Gov. Johnson wisely ignored the statement. Although at the time i didn't realize it...Chris had laid a clever trap.The problem is Mr. Chris Hardball and people like you is that you are not trying to get to the truth...instead you are playing stupid politics because your bread is being buttered to do it or...? So while you sit with your "Irish-Catholic friends" (Chris, you brought this important fact up twice during your grilling of Johnson) drinking beers and feeling smug about yourself, just remember 150,000 are going to die from alcohol this year...Do you take responsibility for their deaths? You know like you want Johnson to take responsibility for anything negative that happens if marijauna is legal.Oh! That's right! Chris you said twice during the show, "But alcohol was around before Prohibition." Chris you think you are so smart, but if you did some honest research before shooting off your mouth you would know that marijuana was around long before alcohol...We evolved with it...That's why we have cannabinoid receptors in our cerebral cortex...That's why the cannabis fruit (achene) is the only fruit in the world with the complete complex of essential fatty acids needed for human growth...not to mention the fact that cannabis sativa has been the Sacred Sacrament of the Hindu followers of Shiva for over 4,000 years...Da! Chris was 1937 before 2,000 BC?Let me on your "Softball" show...Chris Baby! The Rastaman is ready for prime time. Give all praise and thanks to Jah Rastafari who liveth and reignith in I an I. Yes! Even in you Chris...for Rasta is the future and the future is now. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: