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April 12, 2012 Gary Johnson, the likely Libertarian presidential nominee whoserved two terms as the Republican governor of New Mexico from 1995to 2003, has thrown down the gauntlet to President Obama on federalmedical marijuana policy. In an April 10 blog entry on his web site, Johnson asks readers tohelp him debate the War on Drugs with Obama and Mitt Romney Mitt Romney – and he accuses Barack Obama of lying to voters about hismedical marijuana position when he sought the presidency in 2008. Johnson points out that in Obama"s quest for the White House,he clearly stated he would not squander time and money onprosecuting medical marijuana providers in states that have alreadylegalized cannabis as medicine. "I would not have the JusticeDepartment prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users,"Obama said four years ago. "It"s not a good use of ourresources." Yet the Obama administration has continued expending federalresources doing just that, with most of the focus on prosecutingmedical marijuana providers. Johnson says he intends to put discussion about the legalization ofmarijuana on the "front burner" in the 2012 campaign. His challenge to the president and likely Republican nominee comesjust days after DEA and IRS agents raided Oaksterdam University inOakland, seizing files and briefly detaining founder Richard Lee, awheelchair-bound quadriplegic who uses cannabis to treat spasticmuscles. Lee is concerned he may face federal drug charges. Support for medical marijuana at 74 percent The heavy-handed tactics by the federal government come at a timewhen half the country favors legalizing marijuana, and not just formedical use. In an October 2011 poll by Gallup, a record-high 50 percent of Americans favored the legalization of marijuana, and a Harris Interactive Poll in March of 2011 found74 percent support for legalizing medical marijuana. Johnson points out that not only has Obama failed to keep hispromise on medical marijuana, he has failed to respond to citizenswho took action on the issue: "President Obama also REJECTED a citizens" petition tolegalize marijuana as well as a citizens" petition askingthat marijuana be reclassified from a Schedule I drug, which isreserved for dangerous drugs, like heroin, with no medical value,to a Schedule II substance," Johnson wrote. Johnson is in the midst of a fundraising drive to help him raisehis national profile. While Johnson polls quite well in a three-way race against Obama and Romney in New Mexico, wherevoters know him, he is less of a known quantity at the nationallevel and is currently polling just 7 percent against the incumbent and the likely Republican nominee. He hopesto raise funds to change that by reaching out to those who supportlegalizing marijuana. Why did Obama lie about medical marijuana? "I can"t wait to ask Obama why he lied to us aboutmedical marijuana in 2008 and why his Justice department isarresting and prosecuting people involved in the legal supplying ofmedical marijuana in states that allow it," Johnson wrote. "I want to debate whether it makes sense to legalizemarijuana and I"m ready to take on Barack Obama and MittRomney on this issue, but I need your help." Johnson has acknowledged using medical cannabis while recoveringfrom a paragliding accident in 2005. Donate to Johnson"s campaign The campaign has set up a special donation site, , to help solicit at least $1 from each of the 50 million admittedmarijuana smokers in the United States. To mail a check or moneyorder, send your contribution to: Gary Johnson 2012 P.O. Box 1985 Salt Lake City, UT 84110 On the donation page, Johnson states his position succinctly: "This debate isn't just about pot. It's about common sense.It's better to deal with drugs in the daylight as a health issueinstead of leaving it in the dark where it breeds more crime andviolence. Imagine a pot-friendly, fiscally savvy, open-mindedPresident in the White House. If we all pitch in a little, it canhappen." The Libertarian Party will hold its convention in Las Vegas thefirst weekend of May, with Johnson expected to win a first-ballotnomination. The threshold for appearing in presidential debates is15 percent, and Johnson hopes to raise his profile so as to achievethat number and appear in the fall presidential debates againstObama and Romney. According to veteran Republican strategist RogerStone, if Johnson can appear before a national television debateaudience alongside Obama and Romney, "all bets are off"on the 2012 outcome. In addition to his pro-legalization policies, Johnson has promisedto submit a balanced budget to Congress in first year as president.He also supports gay marriage, Second Amendment rights and therepeal of the Patriot Act. If you like writing about U.S. politics and the 2012 campaign,enter "The American Pundit" competition. Allvoices is awarding four $250 prizes each monthbetween now and November. These monthly winners earn eligibilityfor the $5,000 grand prize, to be awarded after the Novemberelection. SOURCES & RESOURCES: Help me debate the war on drugs with Obama and Romney , Can climbing Mt. Everest help prepare you for a presidentialcampaign? Medical Marijuana dispensaries stay open despite federal deadline, SF Weekly, April 9, 2012 Agents in Oakland raid leader of medical marijuana movement, L.A. Times, April 2, 2012 Gary Johnson 2012: Letter from California, by Roger Stone at huffingtonpost.com Researchers study neuroprotective properties of cannabis, , March 20, 2012 Additional sources linked to in text. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Anti-Aging Face Mask Manufacturer , China Natural Skin Toner for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Collagen Eye Masks.
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