There are lots of lobbyists around town, but few can boast to having as unique a gig as Aaron Houston, executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. He spends much of his time working to legalize marijuana.
You can leave the jokes at home: There are no lava lamps or Phish posters in the organization's Dupont Circle office (although there is a stack of High Times issues hanging around), and staffers don't take a "break" at 4:20 each afternoon.
"I used to hear a lot more jokes from people than I do now," Houston said. "I don't really hear them anymore except for from extreme jerks. The reason for that is because it's not a joking matter anymore. ... The marijuana laws are not Cheech and Chong funny; they're 'Mexican drug cartels will cut off your head' not funny."
Watch POLITICO's video to find out who the group's favorite politician is, why recent presidents admit past marijuana use and why – true story – Houston's cell phone number begins with these three numbers: 4-2-0.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Politico
Author: PATRICK GAVIN
Contact: Politico
Copyright: 2010 Capitol News Company LLC
Website: Meet the Pot Lobbyist
You can leave the jokes at home: There are no lava lamps or Phish posters in the organization's Dupont Circle office (although there is a stack of High Times issues hanging around), and staffers don't take a "break" at 4:20 each afternoon.
"I used to hear a lot more jokes from people than I do now," Houston said. "I don't really hear them anymore except for from extreme jerks. The reason for that is because it's not a joking matter anymore. ... The marijuana laws are not Cheech and Chong funny; they're 'Mexican drug cartels will cut off your head' not funny."
Watch POLITICO's video to find out who the group's favorite politician is, why recent presidents admit past marijuana use and why – true story – Houston's cell phone number begins with these three numbers: 4-2-0.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Politico
Author: PATRICK GAVIN
Contact: Politico
Copyright: 2010 Capitol News Company LLC
Website: Meet the Pot Lobbyist
