Larry King Hosts Third Party Debate: Presidential Candidates Slam the Drug War
At Tuesday night's third-party debate on C-SPAN, Larry King asked the four candidates a question that neither Romney nor Obama has been willing to address: "How does the war on drugs affect Americans?"
Three out of the four candidates agreed the drug war does more harm than good -- calling for not just a public health approach to drug policy but also legal regulation of currently-illicit drugs like marijuana.
Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party and Green Party candidate Jill Stein spent more than ten minutes discussing the failures of drug prohibition and the urgent need for reforms. It's rare to see such truth and honesty from politicians talking about the failed drug war. All three candidates received rousing applause -- so you might be wondering, why don't more politicians speak out against the failed war on drugs?
"We don't just need to legalize marijuana," said Anderson. "We need to end drug prohibition just like we ended alcohol prohibition and treat drug use and abuse as a public health and education issue, and get it entirely out of the criminal justice system."
Johnson added, "Ninety percent of the drug problem is prohibition-related, not use-related... that should be the focus. So let's legalize marijuana now. Right now in this country, we are at a tipping point on this issue." He later went on to say, "Look, this is not about advocating drug use. Fifty percent of kids graduating from high school have smoked marijuana -- that's an issue that belongs with families, not in the criminal justice system."
- Read the entire article at The Huffington Post.
Comments
I just mailed my ballot
I just mailed my ballot yesterday. I voted for Gary Johnson, and yes on I502 - as well as researching each candidate's (Governor/Lieutenant Governor/Sheriff/Judges/etc) stance on the drug war.
Although many people may think this makes me a one issue voter, I would have to disagree. The suppression of the minorities/poor, the destruction of families, the continued growth of our out of control prison industrial complex, the killings in Mexico - all of these are at stake.
I know my state will likely go for Obama. But, Gary Johnson will hopefully get enough votes to make the Republican party reconsider their stance in the next presidential election. Maybe they will go after votes like mine a little harder? Maybe this will spur Democrats to do the same?
Thank you Marc and Jodie, and best wishes to any family members who have loved ones locked up for non-violent drug offenses.
Sincerely,
U.S. citizen/voter
Taboo subject
The whole issue of the drug war and cannabis prohibition is a taboo subject in American politics. America has much blood on its hands. 60,000 dead Mexicans and the persecution of cannabis users which affects millions of people doesn't even get a whiff during the presidential debates which are all orchestrated by big business interests. What a farce.
VOTE FOR U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY IN VERMONT
Watch Cris Ericson on WNYT Albany, New York
Television Channel 13 News!
Today's LIVE tapings of Cris Ericson should
be aired soon http://wnyt.com
All Vermont Statewide candidates were
invited to WNYT Albany News CH 13 to
make their own live news statements.
Cris Ericson is on the Vermont election
ballot for Governor and for U.S. Senator
for the United States Marijuana Party.
She made two 2 minute news statements
today, taped live at WNYT.
In the first statement, she said that
marijuana and hemp used to be legal
in the United States, and that her own
grandfather was born on a Hemp Farm
in Shelbyville, Kentucky. She
also explained that her great grandfather
back in the 1600's was Owanno, the
leader of the Piscatawney Tribe, a
branch of Algonquin Native American
Indians, and that hemp and
marijuana were legal then.
"It's time to take back America!" Cris said.
She stated that State and Federal
marijuana laws should be repealed,
stricken off the books, because our
State and Federal budgets can NOT
stand one more day of billions of
tax dollars wasted on a drug war the
Legislators can't win because adults
enjoy smoking marijuana, and voters
say it's fun.
Cris explained that two big piles of
taxpayer dolalrs are being wasted.
In one pile is the money wasted arresting
people for marijuana, which is like the war
on Vietnam, no amount of helicopters
eradicating plants will stop this weed from
cropping up again, people love it,
they're not going to stop using it.
Cris told WNYT viewers that the enemies of
common sense are the control freak Legislators
making laws who have their perverted noses
stuck up too far in your personal business.
Cris explained that President Obama smoked
marijuana and Governor Peter Shumlin of
Vermont smoked marijuana.
Cris said that the drug dealers have the second
big pile of money because they aren't paying
taxes when they sell marijuana. Our State and
Federal budgets keep losing money by
arresting people for marijuana and by not
legalizing and taxing marijuana.
In Cris Ericson's second two minute news
statement today on WNYT News Channel 13
in Albany, New York, she stated that when the
United States Declaration of Independence
was signed, marijuana was legal; and when the
United States Constitution was signed, marijuana
was legal, and again she stated that it is time to
Take Our Country Back!
Again she argued that President Obama smoked
marijuana, and no one put him in jail. Vermont
Governor Peter Shumlin smoked marijuana,
and no one put him in jail. She went on to say
that 25 million people in the United States smoke
marijuana and marijuana is the largest cash crop,
but State and Federal budgets are not receiving
one dollar of taxes from marijuana sales.
Cris talked about the marijuana Russian Roulette
Wheel whereby, out of the 25 million people who
are smoking marijuana, only 750,000 are arrested,
so the majority of people are getting away with it.
Because the majority are getting away with it,
they keep on smoking. The risk is about
one out of 33 people get arrested, or, in other words,
32 out of 33 people smoking marijuana do not get
arrested. So, with the odds in favor of NOT getting
arrested, no one is going to stop smoking marijuana.
Cris said that it is time for the Lawmakers and
Legislators in Montpelier, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
to stop their perverted interest in sticking their
noses into other peoples' orifices. It is time for
Legislators to take their peeping Tom eyeballs
out of our private homes and private lives.
"Get the government out of your house! Vote for
me, Cris Ericson, United States Marijuana Party
in Vermont", Cris says. http://USMJP.com
"U S M J P dot com"
Cris Ericson was wearing a beautiful fuschia colored
suit and her family heirloom Native American
Indian arrowheads on her earrings and leather
pouch necklace. Be sure to watch
http://wnyt.com
to see her in this outfit as there
are no photographs of her in her Native artifacts
on the internet.
Cris Ericson was also wearing her Native American
Indian arrowheads on her earrings and on her
leather pouch necklace on October 25, 2012 on
http://www.vpt.org
Vermont Public Television PBS
United States Senate candidate debate;
and on that show she wore a turquoise suit.
She did not wear eyeglasses on either television
appearance. This is the first time Cris Ericson
has worn anything other than a black suit jacket
and white blouse and black skirt to any
political appearance, so be certain to catch
these shows!
WNYT ALBANY NEWS CHANNEL 13 http://www.wnyt.com
October 29, 2012 Cris Ericson live news footage, two 2 minute
spots.
Vermont Public Television PBS http://www.vpt.org
Oct. 25, 2012 U.S. Senate candidate debate in Vermont
http://usmjp.com
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/10/29/18724723.php