Former Gov. Admits To Marijuana Use - Albuquerque News Story - KOAT Albuquerque

Former Gov. Admits To Marijuana Use - Albuquerque News Story - KOAT Albuquerque <---CLICK FOR NEWS VIDEO

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Former Gov. Gary Johnson admitted that he smoked marijuana for medical purposes while it was still illegal in New Mexico.

Johnson has been an advocate for both medical marijuana and the legalization of marijuana.

The former governor said he used the drug after suffering a painful paragliding accident in 2005. Johnson fractured several bones in the crash.

"It was illegal. Medical marijuana was not something that was allowed in New Mexico at the time," Johnson said. "I didn't want to be using painkillers, and somebody offered the marijuana as a way to ease the pain I was experiencing."

Johnson said he believes marijuana should be legalized and taxed by the government.

He served as New Mexico's governor from Jan 1. 1995 to Jan 1. 2003.