2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate and former two term New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson has been named CEO of cannabis start up company Cannabis Sativa, Inc. The Nevada incorporated company is a publicly traded company under the stock symbol CBDS. Cannabis Sativa concurrently announced it has completed its acquisition of marijuana research business Kush - Kush has a patent pending for what is being called a "super potent" medicinal cannabis strain. CBDS stock is up over 50% today.
Johnson said he hoped to expand Cannabis Sativa into a major marijuana business and intends to work out of New Mexico to help develop products that are legal in states like Colorado and Washington.
"I generally believe this is changing the planet for the better," said Johnson, who will be paid $1 a year and receive equity in the company. "It also is a bet on the future ... We think we have the creme de la creme of marijuana products." Among the products are marijuana-based oils aimed at helping children with epilepsy, targeted for use in states with medical marijuana laws. The two-term governor also said it will make cough drop-like products for recreational use in the states where that is legal.
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Couple of things hit you when you try the product. One is, wow, why would anybody smoke marijuana given this is an alternative?" Johnson said. "And then secondly, it's just very, very pleasant. I mean, very pleasant."
It's just "very, very pleasant"? Follow me over the hump while I get something for my, um, cough.
In addition, Cannabis Sativa announced Tuesday it named Kush's founder, Steve Kubby, as its chairman. Kubby was the 1998 Libertarian Party nominee for California governor.
What's up with these Libertarians? Whatever it is, we Democrats need to get on the bandwagon.
Johnson said he's betting more states and the federal government eventually will allow recreational use of marijuana.
"I think in 10 years, for the most part, the U.S. will legalize marijuana," Johnson said. "And what the U.S. does, so does the world."
Personally I think it will be much sooner then 10 years. Legal recreation marijuana in Colorado has been hugely successful, with the state taking in millions in new tax revenue, while crime is down. Alaska and Oregon voters will likely legalize recreational use in those states this fall. It's already effectively legal in California - I have a friend in San Diego who is 66 and he got a medical marijuana card by telling the doctor it helps him sleep better. (He was being honest, I've smoked with him and within 5 minutes he's yawning and nodding off, while I'm all perked up and ready to roll) California needs to legalize recreation use and implement the excellent system for controlling production and distribution like Colorado has - and collect a ton of new tax revenue. And when California legalizes recreational cannabis, it's all over.
And where it's legal for medical or recreation use it is a 100% American made product. Legalizing it puts a huge dent in the Mexican drug lords revenue - our stuff is much, much better and we don't terrorize and kill people in its production and distribution.
Bob Dylan nailed it:
The Times They Are a-Changin'