|
The former governor of New Mexico (1994-2002) has his eye on the biggest prize - president of the United States. In our exclusive interview with Gary Johnson, he talks about marijuana, foreign policy, harm reduction, skiing stoned and the recent MPP scandal.
CelebStoner: Are you running for president?
Gary Johnson: I have formed a 501C4, which allows me an advocacy committee and as the honorary chairman to speak out on the issues and raise money. I cannot make any statements regarding federal office of any kind.
What do you think of Obama's presidency so far?
I'm terribly disappointed. First and foremost it has to do with extending the deficit.
 What do you think of the two wars - Iraq and Afghanistan?
I believe in a strong national defense. But I don't think our security is threatened in either Iraq or Afghanistan. We should not be in those countries. I thought when [Obama] got elected that somehow he'd further along us getting out of Iraq. He certainly had the chance to do something different in Afghanistan rather than doubling down our efforts. At the end of the day more servicemen and women have lost their lives and we've spent a lot more money on a cause that does not threaten our national security. What apparently is playing itself out in Iraq is simply George Bush's timetable for pullout.
Obama has been good for medical marijuana. He's stopped the DEA raids and empowered states.
I see medical marijuana as a no-brainer. Total no-brainer. The Marijuana Policy Project for example has taken this issue to a new level and it's becoming untenable to not support medical marijuana. Yes, he has moved forward. He's much better on the issue than George Bush, but it sure has a long way to go.
You say, "I advocate a don’t do drugs policy. I believe that recreational use can be very destructive to individuals and to society." You're going to lose a lot of stoners with a comment like this. Can you elaborate?
Do I actually say that? It's my own personal experience. I point out that I haven't had a drink of alcohol in 22 years. It's the best decision that I ever made. But I wouldn't for a second suggest that you can't have as many drinks as you want every single night of the week as long as you don't become impaired, get behind the wheel of a car and do any sort of harm to others. Why we can't make that same correlation with marijuana and other drugs is beyond me. I believe that 90% of the drug problem is prohibition related, not use related. That's not to discount the problems with use. I'm not advocating that anyone go out and smoke marijuana. But again I am not for a second believing that marijuana should be illegal. It should be legal. It should be taxed, regulated, controlled. Responsible use vs. irresponsible use.
Should marijuana be sold in liquor stores?
Back to the Constitution of the United States - 50 laboratories of democracy. I would see the control of marijuana similar to that of alcohol, but of course we have 50 different ways in this county in which we control and regulate the sale and distribution of alcohol. That's what I would advocate - this would be a state's issue regarding how to do that.
There are different state approaches to providing medical marijuana. California and Colorado favor the free market model while other states like New Mexico and New Jersey are more restricted. Which do you prefer?
Free market approach - better. Government run, restricted, controlled - not such a good approach. Have the regulations in place, but the last thing I would opt for if I were implementing it in New Mexico would be a government run program to do that.
You say regarding other drugs, "We do not advocate the legalization of any other drugs and believe that harm reduction measures should be implemented." Please explain.
Harm reduction strategies reduce death, disease, crime, corruption. It looks at all the other drugs first and foremost as a health issue rather than a criminal justice issue. For argument's sake I realize that legalizing across the board the world would be a better place tomorrow. I'm not advocating such. In a nutshell: It's a health issue, not a criminal justice issue; looking to decriminalize, not criminalize - that would be outside of marijuana. I really think the issue is at a tipping point nationally. I'm out to make people recognize that drug use is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. I'm out for people to recognize that marijuana - in my opinion and I believe anyone who's ever smoke marijuana's opinion - is safer than alcohol.
I assume that you have smoked marijuana.
Yes.
But you stopped using at some point.
Right. I haven't been pinned down on when I last smoked marijuana, but I don't smoke pot.
Were you a hippie growing up? What were you like during the political and cultural upheaval of the late '60s and '70s?
I considered myself a jock or an athlete. I also considered myself enlightened and part of that enlightenment I viewed coming from smoking pot. For me and my friends, a lot of this occurred smoking pot and realizing that this was a substance that really did not have any hangover effects. It was just great. I felt great and no hangover the next morning.
A lot of skiers, mountain bikers and runners use marijuana as an aide. Have you ever used it for such purposes?
That was kind of my epiphany. I wanted to be a ski racer, that was what I was pursuing. I found myself at Schweitzer's in Sanpoint, Idaho starting the morning running gates, which I did all the time. I ran the gates - 19 seconds. Went back to the top, ran the gates - 18 seconds. Back to the top, ran the gates, clicked my watch - 17 seconds. On the fourth run, riding up the the ski lift, the patroller whips out a joint. We smoke it. That's kind of what we did. This time I was a lot faster - 15 seconds. Well, it comes back 23 seconds. That was kind of my epiphany on quitting smoking marijuana on a regular basis. Not only did it slow me down, but I thought I was actually faster.
You were a featured speaker at the recent Marijuana Policy Project 15th Anniversary Gala. A few days later news broke about a sex scandal involving executive director Rob Kampia. What do you think of all this?
My dealings with Rob, which I think have been significant, have been just plain 100% professional every single time I've worked with the guy. He's unbelievably dedicated to making marijuana safer in this country and I applaud him for that. I've read the accounts of what happened. I just have to believe Rob will work it out.
Were you surprised to learn about the charges made against him?
I never saw that behavior in any way in any of my dealings with Rob. In my dealings with Rob, I give Rob an A+. And I know that the MPP is dealing with this. I have to leave it alone.
Has this given a black eye to the marijuana reform movement?
I hope not.
For more info:
Gary Johnson's Our America Initiative
Gary Johnson 2012
Photo by CelebStoner
Also see:
MPP Suspends Rob Kampia
More CelebStoner News
|
I also found an official Facebook group that was just created.
I've already expressed my support for him and I hope that everyone does the same.