Schwarzenegger: Marijuana's Not A Drug

Tells Magazine It's Just A Leaf; Spokesman Says Governor Was Joking

(AP)  California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says marijuana is not a drug, a British magazine reported Monday. But his spokesman said the governor was joking.

Schwarzenegger told the British edition of GQ magazine that he had not taken drugs, even though the former bodybuilder and Hollywood star has acknowledged using marijuana in the 1970s and was shown smoking a joint in the 1977 documentary "Pumping Iron."

"That is not a drug. It's a leaf," Schwarzenegger told GQ. "My drug was pumping iron, trust me."

Aaron McLear, Schwarzenegger's press secretary, said the governor made the comments in a lighthearted context, noting his interviewer was Piers Morgan, one of the judges on "America's Got Talent." Morgan is a former British newspaper editor.

"The governor was doing an interview with the host of 'America's Got Talent,' the newest version of the gong show," McLear said. "I think it's important to keep that quote in the context of the environment where it was said."

"Of course the governor understands marijuana is a drug. It's like when he goes on Leno or the Daily Show, if you took something like that out of context, it might seem shocking but it was in a silly entertainment context," he added.

In the interview for the magazine's December issue, Schwarzenegger refused to condemn politicians who decline to answer questions about drug use.

"What would you rather have? A politician taking stuff and not saying, but making the best decisions and improving things? Or a politician who names all the drugs he or she has taken but makes lousy decisions for the country?" Schwarzenegger was quoted as saying.

"A politician's job is to do what's best for the people and to improve the country, the economy, the environment. Why should I care if a politician takes sleeping pills every night so long as he can do his job?" he added.

In the same interview, Schwarzenegger listed former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who left office in June, as one of the greatest leaders in history, alongside former South African President Nelson Mandela, Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan and ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Asked if he would include President George W. Bush on the list, Schwarzenegger - a Republican - said: "I would say that I was ... very fond of his father. I worked for President Bush Sr., and he was a great man."

"I think his son does some great things and there are some other things I don't agree with."

[l8c6]

"A politician''s job is to do what''s best for the people and to improve the country, the economy, the environment. Why should I care if a politician takes sleeping pills every night so long as he can do his job?" he added. --Arnold

The right wingers sure cared enough about Clinton''s trysts to use millions of taxpayer dollars for media circus salem which trials which culminated in a c*um stained little blue dress and an impeachment. Now a segment of the neo con fascists want to disassociate from the neo con identity and pump the system with kooks like Ron Paul.

[l8c6]

salem which trials

clarification: that be Salem witch trials.

[okinup]

thats like "I yearn on yer back".

[displeased]

We shouldn''t burn politicians because of something they did back in college 20 years ago. We should be concerned with their current behaviors that may have impacts on decisions that could affect public wellbeing. Bush used to be an alcoholic and he''s still making sane decisions. Oh, ummmm, nevermind. Hmmmm, perhaps sleeping pills and marijuana in the Whitehouse isn''t a bad idea...

[Krazcarl]

GOOD a american that has the backbone to say he inhaled most of us did if we were cool at all. Was never a fan of Arnie but respect his honesty and yes he gained several points.

[klingon69]

Too bad Arnie can''t run for pres. That''s one I would vote for, no matter what party.

[mocalleo]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else we all know.

.

[mocalleo]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else we all know.

.

[tnt1954]

it depends on whose ox is being gored. who
doesn''t have an axe to grind? land is needed
to grow food, not stuff to make booze and dope
out of. what are ya gonna do, when mother hubbard
goes to the cupboard, and the cupboard is bare?
international export and import is the only
way to get oranges to canada in the dead of winter.
whaddya gonna do, grow orange trees inside the house
or underground with electric light? so what''s
in the crate of oranges? lemons? or weapons?
or dope? green leafy vegetables? do you like
your marijuana salads with olive oil or tangerine
juice, since the sky has kissed you, not you it?
so hallucinate on. should it be against the law
to hallucinate?

[chalres-2009]

mocalleo, I guess you are talking about GEORGE. W. BUSH, because everyone knows he did as well.

[bm6005]

It''s just a leaf!! Why can''t we worry about real problems? The war on drugs is just another diversion from our real problems! Throw all current politicians out at their next re-election.

[jshmks]

The only politician with a brain?

[usayesterday]

It amazes me that the "right" has made Marijuana such an issue that it''s almost like worshiping Satan if you''ve ever inhaled the stuff.

Oh, but Rush Limbaugh poppin pills for years is perfectly fine... why?...

...because he was supporting the pharmaceutical companies of corporate America!

(as opposed to those "dirty hippie Liberal pot growers").

Flush those overpriced pills down the drain and pass me a J please!

[tnt1954]

i have returned from the future. super narcotics
bust of the millenium happened today at 4 p.m.
900 trillion tons of all kinds of weapons, dope,
leafy and non-leafy, snowy and non-snowy were
seized under epileptic seizure laws, to honor
britney spears new album/cd/ due out tomorrow
on october 30th called ''blackout''. her seizures
are giving her problems. she has seized the moment
and triumped in a new triump automobile and will
be seen scuba diving with new speargun spearing
hearts of the barracuda off of latigo beach
at 5 p.m. after assisting agents in the super-bust.
see the narcos thought they''d start these fires
as a distraction maneuver. thought they''d be
21st century reynard the foxes. ah, but clouseau
and herbert lom have outfoxed them again.
for the gold shipment will be seized at the same
time, same tune, too. and what will we do with
all the seized merchandise? storage mostly.
and then hopefully all of it will be disposed
of in either toxic chemcial waste plants or
auction. and then the government will have funding.
all explained in inspector dreyfusses new book-
how to fund law enforcement. with a pseudonym of
donald doofus.

[mocalleo]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

.

[Krazcarl]

gladimnotoj..Not a fan of arnie but respect the fact he addmitted use most of use have at one time or another let''s leave it at that and quit trying to blame it on a spokesperon get real and put some cloths on.

[hobbes1831]

uh, arnie...opium and thus morphine, herion and the like come from a plant. so does nicotine. they aren''t drugs either, right?

[jerr11]

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

Posted by mocalleo at 11:37 AM : Oct 29, 2007


Or that someone else (R) who lied the nation into a war and killed 4000 of our best.

[michellem99-2009]

IT IS A DRUG GOV ARNIE..YER CAN''T BE PRESIDENT SIR EVEN THO YER NATIOALISED..YER DON''T HAVE THAT RIGHT..LOVE YER MOVIES..I DON''T CARE FOR THE BUSHES..I LIKE YE SIR..YER SMART..GWB GOT A DUI IN MAINE..AT 40..

[marcodele]

No, Bush didn''t smoke weed. That was for poor people. He snorted. That explains the six year gap on his resume. Plus coke helps you keep drinking, which he finally gave up. That''s when Daddy bought him the oil well and the Texas Rangers as a reward.

[deedsy57]

i have returned from the future. super narcotics
bust of the millenium happened today at 4 p.m.
900 trillion tons of all kinds of weapons, dope,
leafy and non-leafy, snowy and non-snowy were
seized under epileptic seizure laws, to honor
britney spears new album/cd/ due out tomorrow
on october 30th called ''''blackout''''. her seizures..
* whacked for brevity*

Geeeze snidegrass aka oakenpines take your lithium or ramble on somewhere else or at least make some *** sense!

[gunownerdan]

Marijuana has been illegal in America for over 70 years and today it is the #1 cash crop.
BILLIONS of dollars are going right into the hands of drug gangs and drug dealers because of their monopoly on all black market profits.
PROHIBITION DOES MUCH MORE HARM THAN GOOD!
Just look at the failure of alcohol prohibition.
www.leap.cc
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

[jerr11]

Arnold represents true republican ideals.

Small government, low taxes, and compassion for those who can''t help themselves.

Unlike the current crop of greedy and corrupt neocons who call themselves republicans.

[usayesterday]

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

Posted by mocalleo at 11:37 AM : Oct 29, 2007


Or that someone else (R) who lied the nation into a war and killed 4000 of our best.


Posted by jerr11 at 11:53 AM : Oct 29, 2007
..........

Details... details! Sheesh!


Some politicians get high on the wacky weed...

...while others get high on the (spilled) blood of the poor and middle class!

Everybody has their own vice.

[mocalleo]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

.

[jerr11]

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.


Posted by mocalleo at 12:08 PM : Oct 29, 2007


Or that someone else (R) who''s laughing all the way to the bank with his Halliburton buddies while the country''s getting s c r e w e d to the tune of 2.5 billion a week.

[cavalrycpt]

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition??? If you don''t agree with the legislative branch then you probably shouldn''t serve in the executive branch. Regardless, the LEAP needs to rethink what it terms as "law enforcement".

[Krazcarl]

hobbies1831...your reacing you have any skelotons in your closet????

[Krazcarl]

calveycpt...what are you talking about ?????

[gunownerdan]

Drug prohibition causes more crime, more violence, and even more gun control laws. Billions of dollars are being wasted to fight drugs and meanwhile there are more drugs and drug users than ever. The "war ond drugs" is a total failure and does nothing but encourage drug gangs, drug dealers, and even terrorists by providing them with a monopoly on billions of dollars in profits from the black-market sale of illegal drugs.
www.leap.cc

[mediabrat60]

It is incredibly interesting to me to see the difference in opinions, on the same story, between the liberal online news and the republican online news!.
The liberal opinion section is so much more colorful and degrading!
What a contrast!

[salty1954]

Marijuana is a gift from God.
We are born with marijuana receptors- hardwired - in our bodies.
Prohibition is just a money racket for the cops, courts and the jailhouses.
Legalise it!

[columbiabro]

I hope he can run for prez someday. It would be great to see an Austrian emigre in there. Sure Austrian politicians abroad have screwed up in the past. But Arnie would be the complete opposite of Adolf, and is just what America needs: a tough guy who also isn''t afraid to let his guard down and help the less fortunate.

[rafterman1]

"My drug was pumping iron, trust me." - Arnold

And steroids. Don''t forget the steroids.

[fibonacci_]

Legalize it now.

[mocalleo]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

.

[erasmus6]

"That is not a drug. It''s a leaf,"

Arnold is soooo CUTE!



"Marijuana is a gift from God." posted by salty1954

Yeah, I bet it seems that way to all the buzzheads like klingon69, that smoke it everyday. AHHHH yes, nothing better than living in a permanent haze, eh?

[nirak2-2009]

Arnold, I thought you are smarter than that!

[beckajw]

JER11, better do that Halliburton research again.

[red164]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

Posted by mocalleo at 12:43 PM : Oct 29, 2007

and Schwarzenegger was shown smoking a joint in the 1977 documentary "Pumping Iron."

Kind of difficult to deny isn''t?

Don''t some of you Repubs read before you post?

[bantamei]

After 35 years of use, I can assure you marijuana is not a drug. Only time I have problem with it is when the law gets involved. Haven''t missed a day of work for 12 years and that one day was not because of marijuana use and I don''t live in a haze.

[red164]

Schwarzenegger: Marijuana''s Not A Drug
Tells Magazine It''s Just A Leaf; Spokesman Says Governor Was Joking

No he was not, can''t politicians make statement without having to backtrack?

[erasmus6]

"I don''''t live in a haze." Posted by bantamei at 12:59 PM : Oct 29, 2007

Yeah, that''s what they all say. When you live in a haze, you don''t know your living in a haze, it feels normal.

[displeased]

"I don''''''''t live in a haze." Posted by bantamei at 12:59 PM : Oct 29, 2007

Yeah, that''''s what they all say. When you live in a haze, you don''''t know your living in a haze, it feels normal.

I''d rather associate with people living "in a haze" than drunks.

[jerr11]

The liberal opinion section is so much more colorful and degrading!

Posted by mediabrat60 at 12:22 PM : Oct 29, 2007



That''s what the swift boat veterans for truth said, "Man, it shore is hard to make them degradin truths ''bout Kerry."

LOL

[jerr11]

JER11, better do that Halliburton research again.

Posted by beckajw at 12:57 PM : Oct 29, 2007


I did. Check them out here:

http://www.swiftboatveteransfortruth/halliburton/

http://www.liarsrus.org/halliburton/

LOL

[micma-2009]

Mary Jane became illegal when it was seen by the powerful as influencing people to question authority.

[realpatriot1]

erasmus,

I wouldn''t advise anyone to smoke pot everyday but then I wouldn''t advise people to smoke or drink beer everyday either.

Pot is clearly a drug, as are the aforementioned(and my drug of choice caffeine as well).

Like most other drugs, it doesn''t affect eveybody the same. It''s quite possible that bantamei is able to smoke it every day for 35 years and suffer no apparent ill effects, but that doesn''t make it harmless for others necessarily.

The worst side effect of pot, as far as I can see, is what long-term use can do to the lungs, like cigarettes. Both can cause serious lung and respiratory problems.

I''ve done plenty of inhaling in my life and I support legalization combined with education, but I don''t think the health effects are something that a Governor should be joking about.

[mocalleo]

At least (R)nold was MAN ENOUGH to admit that he inhaled.

Unlike someone else (D) we all know.

.

[gunownerdan]

Our jails are full of non-violent potheads while we let dangerous rapists, robbers, and killers go free.
Meanwhile marijuana is America''s #1 cash crop and it has been illegal for over 70 years.
THE MADNESS MUST STOP!
www.mpp.org
www.leap.cc