The first federal law effective banning marijuana was the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Virginia's first anti-marijuana law was passed by the General Assembly on March 21, 1936. I invite you to read the law, it may be the nation's first medicinal marijuana law.

Marijuana is a drug. But certainly it is no more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. The war on marijuana is an irrational waste of money, bad public policy, and an inhumane infringement upon individuals' natural rights. It is time to end this tyrannical law.

I support the release of all non-violent drug offenders. This would save Virginia a lot of money on maintaining prisoners and new prison construction, and would solve the problem of jail and prison overcrowding. It's important that the Commonwealth work to reintegrate the former prisoners back into society by offering meaningful job training, education, housing and jobs.

With the regulation of marijuana, it is important from the outset to create a law that tells manufacturers that marijuana for cigarettes shall neither be genetically modified (No GM) nor contain additives. Further, an additional $1 tax shall be imposed per box to fund drug addiction treatment for all drugs (including tobacco and alcohol).

Write-in candidate for Lt. Governor of Virginia, 2005