Libertarian Party
Marijuana Friendly Gary Johnson Nominated as Libertarian Candidate for President while D.C. Program off to Rough Start
It has been an eventful week for marijuana law as Connecticut is poised to enact a strict medical marijuana program, aimed at avoiding the legislative pitfalls seen in other states, especially California. Over the weekend there was also the Global Marijuana March, which saw hundreds of thousands gather across the world with events held in over 160 cities in 29 different nations.
As always, there were many other stories that developed over the weekend. Although presumed to be the nominee for months, two term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson has officially been named the Libertarian Party’s choice for President in the upcoming 2012 election this November. The long time supporter of marijuana reform/legalization won by capturing 70% of the party’s 632 delegates at the Libertarian Party’s convention held in Las Vegas. Mr. Johnson told Reuters that “I am very humbled. This is just the start.” In addition to his promise to reform marijuana laws, Gary Johnson has taken aim at big government spending and income tax laws. Gary Johnson shares Ron Paul’s view on ending income tax and replacing it with a “Fair Tax”. The proposal would see an end to the current income tax structure and replace it with flat rate 23% tax on new goods. Resold goods would not face any sales tax. Mr. Johnson is also hopeful that Ron Paul and his supporters will back the ex-Governor.
As Gary Johnson prepares for a possible journey to the White House, he may face the issue of marijuana reform before he even unpacks his bags. Washington D.C. has finally started to move forward with a medical marijuana program that has been weighed down by legal disputes. The program was originally voted on and approved by D.C. residents 12 years ago. Six licenses have finally been granted to cultivation centers with hopes of patients being served within a few months. Despite the approvals finally being issued, some applicants seeking to open dispensaries are filing lawsuits. They feel they have easily met the criteria laid out by the Health Department in order to open and have been denied anyway.
According to the Washington Times, 3 law firms have filed a total of 5 civil complaints that contest the way in which the D.C. Department of Health scored and denied the applicants. Dr. Duplessie is one of the plaintiffs and is seeking his application to be re-sent to Department of Health with a third party to oversee the second review. The Washington Times article quoted Dr. Duplessie as saying “It appears that the D.C. Board of Health has either not read my application or the playing field is not level, I think the process is beyond flawed.” Dr. Duplessie’s attorney has questioned what they believe is a lack of transparency, and said city health officials should elaborate on their decision further than simply saying “it’s just our right.”
While the D.C. story is not what patients want to hear, it is important to note how much progress has been made. With a presidential candidate and the city of Washington D.C. supporting cannabis reform, the future for patients appears bright. Despite whatever recycled statements are emitted from the well dressed men in landmark buildings, compassion seems to be winning out.
Gary Johnson Demonstrates Conviction by selecting Judge Jim Gray for VP
Although the current political system has disenfranchised many eligible voters because of two party domination, the 2012 presidential election may get a necessary injection of 3rd party conversation. Polls show that 80% of Americans would consider voting for a 3rd party candidate. Coincidentally (or perhaps not so coincidentally) that is a similar number to the amount of people who support a physician’s right to prescribe medical marijuana.
Former two term Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson appears poised to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the 2012 presidential election. Ahead of the more well known and establishment financed Mitt Romney, Gary Johnson was able to come to a quick decision about his running mate. The popular marijuana culture website tokeofthetown, is reporting that Mr. Johnson has selected retired California Judge Jim Gray to be his vice president. Justice Gray is known for his progressive views on marijuana. This move appears to be paving a way for marijuana to be prominently on display for the Johnson campaign. Governor Johnson told Reason.com he selected Justice Gray because “The thought process all along has been to find somebody that can articulate libertarian ideals and beliefs and I’ve thought all along that he would be a really solid pick.”
Conversely, the representatives of the two party system Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama, certainly do not seem to have as much conviction in some of their decisions. Mitt Romney has changed his position (sometimes more than once) on virtually every important social issue (click here for compilation of Mitt Romney articulating then contradicting his views). The former Governor of Massachusetts has prospective VP candidates running from his offer. Unfortunately for the American public, it seems the only issue Mitt Romney has not waivered on is medical marijuana. He actually has famously walked away from a wheelchair bound man who asked him about changing marijuana laws during his failed 2008 presidential bid. The other major party representative, President Obama, is just starting to acknowledge medical marijuana questions directed his way. Critics feel it may be possible that the president reverts back to his 2008 tone if re-elected, but of course what guarantees are there in American politics?
The move by Gary Johnson does not appear to simply be a gimmick. With a vast majority of Americans supporting medical marijuana and now at least half supporting overall legalization, marijuana is no longer a fringe issue appealing to a small passionate base. Gary Johnson has selected a running mate who is a legal expert and a supporter of repairing one of the greatest injustices of this generation. While politicians may often feel that an election should be scripted with the same talking points, it is important to understand that elected officials work for us. Without a doubt some critics will try to dismiss Gary Johnson and Jim Gray as trying to capitalize on marijuana supporters. While we have all heard this before, marijuana can provide relief to the economy, patients, and an overburdened penitentiary system. We at marijuana.net have to ask why anyone would have a problem with making a rare American consensus issue the center of a political platform?
A Tribute to Peter McWilliams
“Stubbornness is also determination. It’s simply a matter of shifting from “won’t power” to “will power.”
? Peter McWilliams
The brightest minds are not bound to one area of expertise. True genius transcends departmentalized intelligence and spreads its branches out far and wide. Unfortunately our society seems to have placed an emphasis on the narrow minded expert. We want our athletes to play ball, our entertainers to dance, and our social commentators to discuss single topics.
Perhaps not a household name, Peter McWilliams has inspired people from all walks of life. He was raised outside of Detroit in Allen Park, Michigan. After attending Eastern Michigan University he found inspiration in Paul Krassner and his publication “The Realist”, which was regarded as one of the premiere counter culture publications of modern times.
Peter would quickly become an established writer himself and his diverse skill set was on display even in his early works. Already publishing many works including insightful poetry , in 1974 he wrote, directed, and produced the religious satire movie originally called “The Greatest Story Overtold” under the name Peter Alexander. The movie has since been re-released as “The Thorn”. In 1975 he and Denise Denniston released “The Transcendental Meditation TM Book”, which enjoyed a three week stay on top of the New York Times best sellers list. He would go on to have 5 books in total to make it to the prestigious best seller list. Another early highlight was How To Survive the Loss of a Love which he wrote with Harold H. Bloomfield in 1976 and expanded upon an earlier version Peter wrote in 1971. Already displaying his varied expertise in satire, human emotions and meditation, Peter McWilliams decided to share his proficiency of computers during a period of time where distrust and a lack of user knowledge in how to use computers was at an all time high. In 1982 he released the “The Personal Computer Book” and “The Word Processing Book”.
In 1990, Peter McWilliams returned to the subject matter that may distinguish him the most, his understanding of humanity, emotion, and coping with pain. “Life 101: Everything We Wished We Had Learned About Life in School but Didn’t” received great reviews and is still available on Amazon.com. True to his nature, the book has been heralded as deep, philosophical and yet easily accessible with a style that resembles conversation instead of condescension.
His next work would be a smooth transition into the political and social commentary realm. The 1993 book titled “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in Our Free Country” was released and still receives positive reviews. The book examines what Mr. McWilliams categorizes as “victimless crimes” and how people have been hurt tremendously by consensual crimes throughout history. Another major point of the book is that over regulating social behavior produces an environment that is ripe for black markets and organized crime. The book resonated with many, including libertarians who appreciated his views on personal freedoms.
The book makes commentary on marijuana, a victimless crime according to Peter. Coincidentally, this point would hit closer to home than perhaps he had envisioned. In 1996, Peter McWilliams was diagnosed with both AIDS and cancer. Conventional treatments produced extreme nausea for him and Peter found relief with the use of marijuana. Two years later he would give a nationally televised speech at the 1998 Libertarian National Convention. The speech was inspirational for many defenders of civil liberties, including those scared to embrace their sexuality. Fourteen years ago was still a difficult period to admit to being gay, but Mr. McWilliams courageously revealed this during his iconic speech.
Peter McWilliams suffered greatly for his open views on medical marijuana. Shortly after his address to the Libertarian party, he was arrested for growing marijuana plants that he says he planned to give to caregivers in order to provide relief for patients. He believed he was targeted specifically because of how effectively he was conveying social change and the benefits of medical marijuana. At the time he was helping Todd McCormick write a book titled “How to Grow Medical Marijuana”. Both men were arrested by federal authorities. A judge ruled that Peter McWilliams could not mention his terminal illness or that he believed that medical marijuana was saving his life during the trial proceedings. He was required to cease using marijuana or his mother would lose her house, which was used as collateral for his bail bond. His extreme nausea returned and although not officially confirmed, it is believed that Peter McWilliams died from choking on excess vomit.
This tragic ending was not befitting of such brilliance. Peter McWilliams had a golden touch with just about anything he encountered. That is why it is so confusing that we can applaud intelligence in one field but then disregard it in another. This was not a lazy man trying to abuse marijuana for recreational pleasure. He embodied the diversity of the marijuana community with such insight and compassion. Peter McWilliams’ mind would not be confined to one area of focus and almost 12 years after his death, his influence is still strong. We were able to speak with Julia who maintains www.petermcwilliams.org, a site dedicated to remembering the great activist. She mentions, as many others have, about Peter’s inviting writing style and that he had a way of directly talking to people as if he knew the reader. When asked how to describe the influence he has had she said “The fact that 12 years after someone died, it should mean something that people are being touched by his life and still reading his books.” The site has much to offer including a description of Peter’s works including books, photography and other entries not covered in this article. Additionally, the site includes quotes from Peter and many of his well established peers that include Paul Krassner, Gary Johnson and Dennis Peron. There is also a video tribute by Julia and much more.
Updates on New Laws and regulations and former Governor Gary Manley
Using the tremendous success from the High Occasions Medical Cannabis Cup in La over the past weekend and Love Day moving in, there’s been a lot to discuss. While we are talking about more highlights in the cup soon, we’re really looking forward to a few of the new political/legal developments regarding marijuana.
Gary Manley, that has been formerly been known to as “The Marijuana Candidate”, made head lines lately. Mr. Manley was part of the GOP, but increased frustrated with numerous issues, including his former party’s disinclination to discuss marijuana reform and being excluded in the Republican primary debates. Gary Manley continues to be running for leader but he’s now part of the Libertarian party. Obviously that happened in the finish of 2011, but more lately he won a hay poll in Florida. A hay poll occured including 5 other libertarian candidates, but Gary Manley won 70% from the election. The fiscal conservative but socially moderate Manley stated, “The country’s in really deep trouble” and “Our country isn’t safe from financial collapse.” Manley can also be in support of a progressive national florida sales tax, also called a “Fair Tax”. Although Gary Manley might not have the ability to win the U . s . States presidency, the ex-governor could provide a lot of exposure for marijuana reform.
Patients can also be very happy to hear that another condition has suggested new legislation that will bring serious modifications to existing marijuana laws and regulations. In Maryland, you will find really three plans which have been suggested. Two plans are extremely similar based on Serta Morhaim, an area 11 Democrat from Baltimore County. He mentioned the 2 plans “overlap about 90 %.Inch The 3rd plan differs substantially and it has provisions that will permit patients to develop their very own medication. Advocates believe that enabling patient growing can offer the most affordable method to medicate. The plans, or a mix of what the law states, may stand a high probability of passage as there’s already momentum for alternation in Maryland. This past year, legislation was passed that decriminalized utilization of marijuana for patients who could demonstrate they needed marijuana for “therapeutic or palliative relief.”
The city is standing strong and could have previously suffered its pitch-dark days. While Gary Manley has supported marijuana reform for a while, other political figures are actually prepared to advance and demand change as marijuana sheds its taboo status. Maryland is just one illustration of this as a lot of other states have either legalized medicinal marijuana or are thinking about measures to do this. With marijuana reform no more becoming an act of political suicide, a lot more will stand beside our community.