Pubdate: Sat, 25 Sep 2010
Source: Joplin Globe, The (MO)
Copyright: 2010 The Joplin Globe
Contact: http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/zope/letter_to_editor.php
Website: http://www.joplinglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/859
Author: Alexandra Nicolas
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Gary+Johnson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

FORMER NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR PUSHES FOR POT LEGALIZATION

JOPLIN, Mo. -- For former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, educating 
the masses is a key component in changing marijuana laws.

Johnson, who was in office from 1995 to 2002, spoke in Joplin over 
the weekend as part of the 2010 Cannabis Revival. He talked about why 
he believes marijuana prohibition is failing, what the war on drugs 
is costing -- both in dollars and in lives -- and what needs to be 
done about it. The event was held in Landreth Park.

Kelly Maddy, director of the Joplin chapter of the National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Legislation and organizer of 
the Cannabis Revival, said the weekend event was held as a way to 
encourage public involvement in marijuana law reform.

According to Johnson, his interest in the drug war and the 
legalization of marijuana peaked during his tenure as a governor when 
he wanted to work to reduce New Mexico drinking and driving but was 
told the state didn't have the resources to do so.

Johnson said roughly half of the money, court time and jail space 
nationwide goes to dealing with drug-related offenses, something he 
believes is not the best use of resources.

"Other people harming me, or having the potential to harm me, that's 
real crime," he said.

Since then, Johnson has toured the country speaking on what he 
believes needs to happen concerning marijuana laws.

Johnson and many of the members of national marijuana legalization 
groups believe marijuana needs to be made legal, then regulated and 
taxed just like alcohol. The former governor, who has experience 
dealing with the issues of a border state, spoke about what not being 
able to regulate the marijuana trade is costing society.

"Lives are lost by disputes being played out with guns instead of in 
the courts," he said, citing the deaths that take place in connection 
with the illegal marijuana trade.

Another issue Johnson thinks needs to be addressed is the current 
political standpoint on drug laws.

"Politics is based on fear, and right now marijuana is looked at as 
the cause of all evil," he said. Johnson said approximately 45 
percent of the country favors legalizing marijuana, while no 
politicians publicly do.

"Nowhere is there a disconnect as much as with drugs," he said.

Johnson believes the country is at a tipping point concerning drug 
laws and believes the U.S. could see the legalization of marijuana in 
the next 2 1/2 years, as the national opinion on marijuana and the 
laws surrounding it shifts.

No vote in Joplin

An initiative petition calling for the decriminalization of marijuana 
up to 35 grams in the city of Joplin failed in 2008 to get enough 
signatures to place the issue on the November general election ballot.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom