Longtime marijuana advocate and perennial Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Gatewood Galbraithpassed away on Jan. 4 in Lexington as a result of complications from chronic emphysema. He was 64. Watch clip below
"We lost a good friend today," Nelson tells CelebStoner. "Gatewood wrote a book called The Last Free Man in America. That pretty much says it all. He was my friend and I will miss him. Our prayers go out to all the family.
In 1991, Nelson joined Galbraith for a tour of the state and a benefit concert. Galbraith also ran for governor in 1995 and 1999, Congress in 2000 and 2002, and Attorney General in 2003.
"Throughout my entire political career I've stood for abolishing the laws against cannabis," Galbraith said. "I've utilized the election process as a method to get the information to the people. I've appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows as a spokesperson for getting the government off the backs of the people. That message is getting a lot of play these days."
Born in Carlisle in 1947, Galbraith's family moved to Lexington when he was 12. He founded the Future Kentucky Marijuana Growers Association in 1976 and soon became a lawyer and public defender. Galbraith served as a member of NORML's board of directors in the '90s.
"Gatewood was someone who placed a high priority on the legalization of cannabis, and firmly believed industrial hemp (including hemp-based ethanol) could help save the planet," says NORML's founder and current legal counsel Keith Stroup. "In his several campaigns for public office in Kentucky, he was fearless in his pro-hemp advocacy. He will be missed by all of us who care about legalizing marijuana."
Gov. Steve Bashear, who defeated Galbraith in November, called him "a a gutsy, articulate and passionate advocate who never shied away from a challenge or potential controversy." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents the Bluegrass State, added: "He was a truly memorable character who loved our state and its people.”
