By By Michael Krebs May 18, 2011 in Politics Country music legend and Teapot Party founder Willie Nelson has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson, citing Mr. Johnson's desire to fully legalize marijuana. One of those positions that Johnson has helped elevate is the idea of open legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, and Mr. Johnson's advocacy on this matter has earned him an endorsement by country music celebrity Willie Nelson, Mr. Nelson is also the founder of the “I am truly gratified to have the endorsement of such an iconic entertainer, philanthropist, innovator and champion for individual rights as Willie Nelson,” Johnson said, according to a Gary Johnson, former New Mexico governor Gage Skidmore “I advocate legalizing marijuana – control it, regulate, tax it,” Johnson said during the May 5 South Carolina debate among Republican contenders, Politico reported. Johnson's position is one of "a cost-benefit analysis," is “The purpose of the Teapot Party is to vote in people who believe the way we do and vote out the ones who don’t,” Nelson stated in the Tea Pot Party press release. "Tax it, regulate it, legalize it. And stop the border wars over drugs.” Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson is widely considered an underdog, presenting Libertarian ideals and having staked claim to social positions that are not common to traditional Republican thinking.One of those positions that Johnson has helped elevate is the idea of open legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, and Mr. Johnson's advocacy on this matter has earned him an endorsement by country music celebrity Willie Nelson, as Politico reported on Tuesday.Mr. Nelson is also the founder of the Tea Pot Party , an organization that seeks to fully legalize marijuana in the United States.“I am truly gratified to have the endorsement of such an iconic entertainer, philanthropist, innovator and champion for individual rights as Willie Nelson,” Johnson said, according to a press release issued by the Tea Pot Party. “Not only is he a superstar talent, he is a bold advocate for social change. 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.”Gary Johnson, who has served two terms as governor of New Mexico, has been very vocal on the marijuana legalization question.“I advocate legalizing marijuana – control it, regulate, tax it,” Johnson said during the May 5 South Carolina debate among Republican contenders, Politico reported. Johnson's position is one of "a cost-benefit analysis," is stated on his web site “The purpose of the Teapot Party is to vote in people who believe the way we do and vote out the ones who don’t,” Nelson stated in the Tea Pot Party press release. "Tax it, regulate it, legalize it. And stop the border wars over drugs.” More about Willie nelson, Gary Johnson, teapot party, 2012 presidential election, 2012 elections More news from Willie nelson Gary Johnson teapot party 2012 presidential el... 2012 elections Libertarian Marijuana