Country legend Willie Nelson backs Gary Johnson

Created: May 17, 2011 18:01 | Last updated: July 31, 2020 00:00

Legendary country musician and well-known marijuana smoker Willie Nelson and his Teapot Party have endorsed Gary Johnson for president. The former New Mexico governor, who is running for the Republican nomination, is a high-profile advocate for legalizing and taxing marijuana.

“I am truly gratified to have the endorsement of such a legendary entertainer and champion for individual rights as Willie Nelson,” Johnson said in a statement. “Not only is Willie a superstar talent but, he is a strong advocate for social change, as seen through his tireless work on behalf of family owned farms and hard working Americans.”

“Americans are demanding the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams without interference from a heavy-handed government, and Willie Nelson lends a tremendous voice to those demands,” Johnson said.

According to the Teapot Party statement, Nelson recently met Johnson after a concert in Texas.

Willie Nelson described his stance on the legalization of marijuana as, ”Tax it, regulate it, legalize it. And stop the border wars over drugs.”

Nelson founded the Teapot Party last year after he was arrested for marijuana possession in Texas.

Johnson served as governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. While in his second term as governor Johnson called for legalizing marijuana in the state, and last year he traveled the country calling for a nationwide legalization of marijuana.