The other is the largely unknown former governor of New Mexico: Gary Johnson. A young, active, perhaps more progressive version of Ron Paul, Johnson has gained notoriety (and respect) for having climbed Mts. Everest, Elbrus, McKinley and Kilimanjaro, performing impressive 140+ mile triathlons, and a 100 mile run through the Rocky Mountains. He also survived a 50 foot fall from a paragliding accident and treated his pain with medicinal marijuana.

No, he is not a myth, though he might sound too good to be true. He is highly vocal about his disdain for the War on Drugs, specifically the War on Marijuana. In fact, he has been firmly (and loudly) of this opinion as far back as 1999, long before the argument was part of public discourse.

Nowadays, he is trying to gain footing to stage a serious presidential run, likely in 2016. Just today an op-ed piece authored by none other than Johnson was published in Big Government – a strictly right-leaning website. In the article Johnson argues for the end of the War on Drugs, citing the fiscal, social and international benefits that could come with it. And… well, I’ll let you read it for yourself:

http://biggovernment.com/gjohnson/2012/01/16/its-time-to-end-the-war-on-drugs/#more-408344

And while you’re there, check out their overview of the Mexican Cartel situation. What’s going on in Mexico is really appalling, and we’re more responsible than you might think.

Lotus

The poll also shows a vast majority of Americans believe the war on drugs itself is a failure. 69% of republicans, 65% of democrats, and 70% of independents believe the war on drugs is and has been ineffective. Over a third of all Americans represented in the poll do not approve of the war on drugs. The war costs over $15 billion to the federal government each year. State and lower governments spend a combined $25 billion annually. Since the inception, the war on drugs has cost America an unfathomable $1 trillion. An expensive mistake.

Unsurprisingly, democrats favored marijuana at a higher percentage than republicans, with 63% of the democrats and 41% of the republicans in favor. It seems marijuana legalization is one issue that nearly has bipartisan support. Interesting results were had in the age category, with older respondents approving at a higher rate than their younger counterparts. A whopping 57% of 35-54 year olds support legalization, and 54% of the 55+ age group are in favor, while the younger 18-34 group was just barely across the line at 53%.

The next highest approved substance was ecstasy. However, only a meager 10% support legalization of the iconic drug, making it pale in comparison to its leafy companion. Even less supported legalization of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or crack cocaine, all of which carry much higher risk and stigma than cannabis.

Staggering figures that not only support legalization of marijuana, but also disapprove of the war on drugs should not be ignored by politicians. 64% of Americans think the country has a drug problem, and 67% think we’re not on the right path to fixing it. Meanwhile, a drug with majority favor remains illegal, and a drain on resources and freedoms everywhere. America and I believe it is time for change.

Lotus

We would love for you to comment on this development, especially if you live in Arizona.

Pot legalization advocates are undeterred by the defeat of Prop. 19.

Everything but the period in the above sentence links to an LA Times article covering the response by various legalization bodies to Prop. 19′s defeat. A heartening read for the disappointed armchair cannabis legalization activist in all of us. Check it out and please leave feedback on this article or the site in general by commenting below!

Link to article found here

“That marijuana causes very little social harm is reason enough in a free society to legalize it for adults. But as Steve, Paul, and Mason so brilliantly demonstrate in this book, an even more persuasive reason is that by prohibiting marijuana we are steering people toward a substance that far too many people already abuse, namely alcohol.”

If you’re joining us after a couple bowls, which is more than likely the case, here’s a handy diagram showing what needs to happen for this bill to pass (click for big):

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On election day, Michigan became the thirteenth state to legalize the physician supervised possession and use of cannabis. According to early returns, more than 60 percent of Michigan voters decided in favor of Proposal 1, which establishes a state-regulated system regarding the use and cultivation of medical marijuana by qualified patients.

Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, some 65 percent of voters (and virtually every town) decided “yes” on Question 2, which reduces minor marijuana possession to a fine-only offense. Like in Michigan, voters rejected a high-profile, deceptive ad campaign by the measure’s opponents, who argued that it would increase adolescent drug abuse, permit large-scale marijuana trafficking, endanger workplace safety, and sharply increase traffic fatalities.