When then-Gov. Gary Johnson announced that he supported legalizing marijuana back in 1999, he became the first major elected official in the U.S. to say something that the presidential candidates for the two major parties still won't touch with hazmat gloves 17 years later. The move was enough of a shock that it had repercussions back home in New Mexico, including the resignation of Department of Public Safety Secretary Darren White.

On July 21, the last day of the Republican National Convention, Darren White endorsed Gary Johnson for president on Twitter. New Mexico journalist Andy Lyman has more:

White told NM Political Report that his decision to distance himself from the GOP was a "very difficult decision." "At the end of the day I am going to vote for the future of the nation," White said on Monday. Johnson said it was "great" that he got White's support. […] Johnson told NM Political Report that he is ready to move passed the pair's previous disagreements. "I hate to use this term," Johnson said in a phone interview. "But I forgive him."

White said any differences they had in the past are minor compared to what's at stake.

"We're talking about the presidency," White said. "It's a hell of a lot bigger than any disagreement Gary and I had in the past."

Reason on Johnson endorsements here.