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Willie Nelson endorses a pro-pot presidential candidate
The Teapot Party, formed by the famous performer, wants to help former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson get to the Oval Office.
Wed, May 18 2011 at 5:34 PM
PASS IT TO THE LEFT: Willie Nelson and his Teapot Party are diving into the world of presidential politics. (Photo: Copyright 2011 Jason Moore/ZUMA Press)
Willie Nelson is jumping into the political arena. No, he isn’t running for president — or any office for that matter — but he is throwing his support, and the support of his political apparatus, behind Republican presidential hopeful Gary Johnson.
Nelson’s Teapot Party (more on that in a moment) officially endorsed the former New Mexico governor for president on Tuesday. Johnson is an advocate of small government and the legalization of marijuana.
During a debate in South Carolina on May 5, Johnson said, “I advocate legalizing marijuana — control it, regulate and tax it.” This stance almost exactly matches up with what Nelson said last November after he helped found the Teapot Party. "Tax it, regulate it and legalize it," Willie told CelebStoner.com. "And stop the border wars over drugs. Why should the drug lords make all the money? Thousands of lives will be saved."
Last November, Nelson was arrested for possession of marijuana in at a U.S. border patrol checkpoint. (Since that time, I'm guessing he has not stopped smoking pot, but he has gotten political.) Nelson created the Teapot Party shortly after his arrest. The purpose of the party is to “vote in those who believe the way we do and to vote out the ones who don’t.” It appears that the former governor falls into that camp. Now the question is, do voters agree?
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lol... seems to me so many are for drug testing on those receiving welfare. now this. wow as a country we sure are flip floppin around. i say good for u willie. would like to see pot legal. but agree with upper post why this man why not ron paul. is it cause he is old as pot. :)
Honestly the government makes marijuana out to be worse than it actually is, marijuana helps cancer patients, helps people with arthritis and other medical conditions, others use it as a way to relax and ave fun. Alcohol doensnt help anyone at all, the only thing it has is negative effects such as damaging the liver and it contributes to 40000 + deathsa year, coinsidentley nobody has ever been killed or harmed by marijuana.
Willie,
Why would you support Gary Johnson? Ron Paul is pro-pot too. Why not go with a hero and not a zero?
You would think our own history would show the rationale behind legal pot. Al Copone made millions during the Prohibition era, and was never convicted of the rum running, murder or protection rackets he ran. Tax evasion was what got him. So tax pot and let's get on with life. For chronic pain sufferers it would be a wonder
Marijuana is the safest drug with actual benefits for the user as opposed to alcohol which is dangerous, causes addiction, birth defects, and affects literally every organ in the body. Groups are organizing all over the country to speak their minds on reforming pot laws. I drew up a very cool poster featuring Uncle Willie for the cause which you can check out on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-teapot-2011.html Drop in and let me know what you think!
I’ve already registered Republican (!) to vote for Gary Johnson in the Primary. As governor, he vetoed any legislation, even from his own party, that wasted people’s money and abused their freedom. At the very least, I want to send Obama a message -- bring home the troops, respect civil liberties and reform our insane drug laws!
Willie Nelson is a visionary.
In all seriousness, a lot of people have died because we've decided to criminalize drugs. I hope more politicians realize it is time to try something different.