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| Governor, Teens Discuss Drug Issues |
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Posted by FoM on March 13, 2002 at 12:14:47 PT Staff and Wire Reports Source: Santa Fe New Mexican 
Gov. Gary Johnson received several bursts of applause from local teens, possibly evidence that most agreed with his views during a drug policy discussion at Warehouse 21 Tuesday afternoon.``Ninety percent of the drug problem is prohibition related and not use related,'' Johnson said, as he opened the discussion, laying out his crusade to decriminalize illegal drugs. He later said the number of people arrested across the nation for drug violations every year is equal to the population of New Mexico. When a teen-ager asked Johnson whether he considered marijuana a ``gateway drug,'' the governor said the only gateway marijuana provides is to the drug dealer. A gateway drug is one that leads to abuse of harder drugs. ``If you legalize marijuana, you will do away with the gateway. The only gateway aspect of it is the guy that sells you marijuana who sells you a bunch of other things as well.'' Another teen asked Johnson about the recent ad campaign on national television that touts spending money on illegal drugs as a way of supporting terrorism. Johnson turned the argument around by mentioning theories that link Sept.-11 events to Osama bin Laden, whom Johnson said is a suspected drug czar. ``Our war on drugs is contributing to terrorism,'' Johnson said. Johnson said he was shocked the state Legislature even talked about his drug-reform proposals. He said he was pleased that half his drug-reform proposals were passed. ``I thought that was significant," he said. ``When I first started talking about drug reform, I thought I was going to be tarred and feathered,'' Johnson said of his early efforts to bring about illegal-drug reform. Johnson made it clear he wanted substance abuse to be treated as a health issue and not a criminal one, explaining he supports rehabilitation not incarceration. He said employers should retain the right to test employees for marijuana use. ``You can choose whether or not you want to be an astronaut or a dishwasher,'' he said, ``but you shouldn't be punished for your decision to smoke marijuana.'' Johnson said he tried marijuana but has since stopped using it or consuming sugar and alcohol. ``We all have enough handicaps,'' Johnson said. ``When I quit drinking, I realized that it was the best thing that I had ever done. ... By eliminating these things, I'm on a natural buzz.'' He said he thinks he's the healthiest 49-year-old around. ``I'm in the 150 pound range with 6 percent body fat. What do you think about that?'' he asked the crowd. A teen mentioned a part of the student-loan policy from the federal government that denied student loans to anyone with any kind of drug-related conviction. Meanwhile, those convicted of other crimes such as rape and murder are not denied student loans. Johnson said he had mentioned the policy to Asa Hutchinson, head of the Drug Enforcement Agency, when the two discussed drug decriminalization in a recent debate in Albuquerque. He said Hutchinson was not aware of the policy and was looking into making a change. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM) Related Articles: Johnson Hints That Drug Reform Will Be His Career NM Governor Looking To Leave His Mark Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #5 posted by Sudaca on March 14, 2002 at 10:10:03 PT |
| It's not hard at all to understand your feelings! Gov. Johnson has certainly made case for his integrity and I applaud the guy. I mistrust the company he's in. The fact that the Gov. has the guts to represent these ideas and is outspoken is I think is a testament to the strength of standing on two solid legs. I think politicans are smart, and Gov Johnson is stepping into a vacuum of power, taking up the voice of the alternative crowd. But as long as he does this under the umbrage of the two major political parties; and as long as he is willing to give the benefit of the doubt to people who are clearly anything but honest (like A Hutchinson) he's doing no one a great service. Still, much better than nothing. But again, if the guy ran for president I certainly wouldn't hold my breath in the expectation of him changing anything. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Nuevo Mexican on March 13, 2002 at 23:40:13 PT |
| I understand your feeling Sudaca, but he is way outspoken about his use, (I didn't experiment, I smoked it) and when he tried to talk to students 2 years ago, an uproar was staged by a few rabid prohibitionists', but has since fizzled out, as people here are surrounded by Cannabis where ever they go. It is part of the Hispanic/Mexican Culture, the Native American culture, and the hippie,alternative lifestyle culture, and by many in the 'mainstream, like Gary and his friends. Not all currently indulging, but aware of it's benign effects. I don't trust politicians either, but I can't find many faults with his astute and down to earth descriptions and analogies. He usually says what I would say, and only Ralph Nader or Harry Brown do that, so I stand by his meeting with these students as groundbreaking. Another chink in the armor for prohibitions end! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 13, 2002 at 14:00:37 PT |
| I removed the article because it messed up the comment section here and I had it posted. If you want me to post something please send it to me at: submissions@cannabisnews.com and I'll do my best to get it done as fast as my slow connection allows.
Thanks! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Sudaca on March 13, 2002 at 12:56:54 PT |
| as I like the message , the messenger quit Pot but became a Politician. I don't trust that ilk. I think that's about as base a choice as you can make. I hope this guy isn't there just for the Republican ticket; but that's the feel I get from him. How can anyone seriously consider that Asa Hutchinson may not know about the student aid fiasco, and that he'll "look into it" let alone do something about it. In my cynical view Gary Johnson is allowed to use the truth to keep the reformers hopeful that someday somewhere sometime a good Republican will become president and legalize pot. Yeah Sure, and Bush said that medical marijuana was a state issue. [ Post Comment ] |
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