Reagan Wanted Marijuana Legalized

email ^

[Texaggie79]

In newly released audiotapes of Ronald Reagan's broadcast commentaries, Reagan made clear his view that individuals should be allowed to use marijuana if they wanted to.

The Reagan broadcasts come from the days before Reagan became president and were believed to be lost.

But in the new audio set "Reagan In His Own Voice" the unedited version of Reagan's most controversial broadcasts are now available.

In one broadcast, Reagan declared it was an individual's choice if they chose to smoke marijuana, as long as they were aware of the health risks.

Reagan had a strong Libertarian streak, though he also held strong views about prayer in school, abortion, sex-ed in schools and other social concerns.

[Texaggie79]

I waited for one of the more Libertarian FReepers to post this, but since they didn't. I'll do it.

Wise man, wise position.

[Texaggie79]

bong

[mdittmar]

I think.....whoa dude,forgot what I was going to say.

How late is Taco Bell open?

[Cicero]

What's your authority for this? An e-mail from somebody who claims it's on the tapes?

[Texaggie79]

ping

[Texaggie79]

click the link. It's off NewsMax. They are promoting the Book.

[Texaggie79]

Why is it so hard to believe Reagan sided with liberty when it was a question of personal heath and not a threat to others?

[MileHi]

This will tweak some of the drug warriors here. You, despite some past skirmishes, I find hard to dislike.

FReegards

[uncbob]

In one broadcast, Reagan declared it was an individual's choice if they chose to smoke marijuana, as long as they were aware of the health risks.

A lot less health risks than booze ( both to the user and those around him/her )

[Moonman62]

Reagan also used to hang out with commies -- then he got wise.

[AUgrad]

Well, he was ahead of his time, too bad he surrounded himself with WOD ninnies...

This is a suprise. Didn't he appoint Bill Bennett?

[Mulder]

What's your authority for this? An e-mail from somebody who claims it's on the tapes?

I seem to recall reading this in "Reagan: In His Own Hand" also.

[Willie Green]

I waited for one of the more Libertarian FReepers to post this, but since they didn't. I'll do it.

They're probably too stoned to have noticed.

Ya gotta wait another day or two, then FR will be swamped with duplicate posts out the whazooo.

[Texaggie79]

I love Bennett. He may be wrong on his pot position, but he is one of the TRUE fighters for conservatism out there.

[dixierat22]

I'm with you on that. The only thing the Drug War has accomplished is putting large numbers of citizens in jail for relatively minor 'crimes'.

If the war on Terrorism is this successful, we're all in a world of hurt.

[Mulder]

"If adults want to take such chances [with marijuana] that is their business"-- Ronald Reagan, August 1979 from "Reagan: In His Own Hand" pg 399 of the hardback edition.

That statement was in the last paragraph of a radio speech he wrote. The purpose of the brief speech was to state the dangers of marijuana and why kids shouldn't use it.

[Burr5]

This is fascinating. I would have loved to think my president didn't consider me a criminal worthy of imprisonment back in my youth, when he was my hero, but I still liked (translation: knew people who might sell me) the "evil weed". For the record, I think it's reasonable to keep pot illegal, but ridiculous to throw casual users in jail for using it. We don't throw people who drink in jail (as has been noted 15 Billion times). So perhaps the criminal penalties should be reserved for the large-scale traffickers, who are usually violent, armed gangsters. And if THAT works, no need to throw the casual user in jail.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

bump

[bluefish]

Reagan also used to hang out with commies -- then he got wise.

Yeah, but didn't these comments came after he "got wise" - to use your words. Boy, this really ought to mess with a few of the "social conservative's" heads. More than a joint would even, I bet.