cannabisnews.com: Ed Thompson High on Reform of Marijuana Laws 





Ed Thompson High on Reform of Marijuana Laws 
Posted by CN Staff on May 03, 2002 at 11:28:10 PT
By Ben Steverman, The Capital Times 
Source: Capital Times
Feeling like a "duck out of water" in his first-ever trip to the nation's capital, Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Ed Thompson on Thursday called for big changes in Wisconsin's marijuana laws and an end to politicians' "fear mongering" about the drug. "It's so incredibly stupid that we arrest people for what they do in the privacy of their own home," said Thompson, whose older brother is Tommy Thompson, secretary of health and human services and former four-term governor of Wisconsin. 
Ed Thompson, who is on a three-day visit to Washington, made the comments to pro-marijuana legalization activists at a small reception in his honor. "I know a lot of people who smoke marijuana," Thompson said, adding that he thinks that, compared to alcohol or tobacco, it is relatively harmless. Thompson, who says he doesn't smoke or drink, favors legalizing marijuana and allowing its use for medicinal purposes, and he opposes imprisoning nonviolent drug offenders. This, he said, is something he learned in his five years as a prison guard. "Nonviolent people should not be locked up with violent people," he said, adding that, if elected governor, he would consider pardoning drug offenders in prison. Thompson said he doubts the Legislature would go along with some of his proposals on drugs. Last year he lobbied for a law allowing the medicinal use of marijuana, he said, but the proposal went nowhere. Washington-based activists favoring marijuana legalization said they would give Ed Thompson their support and argued that their support would be helpful with the broader public. Brother Tommy strongly opposes both medical marijuana and decriminalization of the drug. "The American people are way ahead of the politicians on this issue," said R. Keith Stroup, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, citing polls that he said indicate public support for medical use of marijuana and opposition to the arrest of marijuana users. Ed Thompson, the former mayor of Tomah, came to Washington to meet with policy experts and to get some publicity for his long-shot campaign for governor. In addition to meeting with marijuana activists, Thompson discussed the virtues of school vouchers with the libertarian Cato Institute, met with several reporters, took a tour of his brother's office at HHS and, he said, "received an hour of media training," in which he learned how to improve his television persona. He wasn't sure how effective that training would be. "What you see is what you get," he said. Thompson, who estimated he'll need to raise about a million dollars to run for governor, didn't hold any fund-raisers in Washington. On return to Wisconsin, however, he said he would continue holding three to four small fund-raisers each week around the state. Sometimes he only raises about $2,000 at these dinners, which isn't much compared to his brother's fund-raising performance as governor. "I get $20 a plate," Ed Thompson said, laughing. "Tommy gets $1,000 a plate." Source: Capital Times, The (WI)Author: Ben Steverman, The Capital Times - Medill News ServicePublished: May 3, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Capital TimesContact: tctvoice madison.comWebsite: http://www.captimes.com/Related Articles & Web Site:NORML: http://www.norml.org/The Libertarian Party: http://www.lp.org/Ed Thompson Makes the Most of His Time http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12686.shtmlEd Thompson Joins Call for Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12685.shtmlThe Candidate On Tap - Washington Posthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12211.shtml 
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Comment #4 posted by Toker00 on May 03, 2002 at 19:59:39 PT
mayan
Yeah, wouldn't that be COOL? Stranger things have happened. For instance...Election 2000?Peace. Realize, then Legalize.
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on May 03, 2002 at 16:29:07 PT
Watch This One
I wouldn't say no chance in hell,Toker00. Many GOP & Dem strategists fear this man's chances. Ventura's poll numbers were even lower than Thompson's at this point the year he was elected Governor of Minnesota. Wisconsin, of all states,is ripe for a serious third-party challenge. Watch this one closely.
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Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on May 03, 2002 at 12:48:20 PT
Ed Thompson wants to legalize cannabis
He has the right idea and a common sense approach. I say he wins. 
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Comment #1 posted by Toker00 on May 03, 2002 at 11:45:38 PT
I like him.
This guy is hillarious, and good for the soul. Not a chance in hell, he knows it, but he is By-God doing it! HA HA! I love it. Makes me realize MY activism is worth what I think it is, though not as colorful and larger-than-life as his is.Wouldn't it be Fabulous if he caught on and ended up a real challenger? :)I got $20.00 and a VOTE, if he ever runs in MY state!Peace. Realize, then Legalize.
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