Hunter Thompson Ran For Sheriff on a Free Weed Platform

Great Moments in Weed History

David Bienenstock

Tv & Film, Comedy, History

4.8 • 659 Ratings

🗓️ 31 October 2019

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 1970, the author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ran for Sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado as the anointed candidate of the newly formed Freak Power political party. He promised an immediate end to marijuana arrests and abusive policing. He also promised to rip up the streets of Aspen and sod them. And that his first act as sheriff would be to “install on the courthouse lawn a platform and a set of stocks in order to punish dishonest dope dealers in a proper public fashion.” Thompson even shaved his head bald, so he could refer to incumbent Sheriff Carroll D. Whitmire as “my longhaired opponent” during their much anticipated debate. Hear an excerpt from that debate in this episode, plus archival audio from the Freak Power Party’s campaign headquarters on Election Day. Read the book Freak Power for more on Hunter S. Thompson’s run for sheriff, including his incredible artwork and campaign materials. Watch the documentary Gonzo to celebrate the life and work of one of the 20th Century’s towering figures in journalism, politics and literature. Watch Great Moments in Weed History co-host David Bienenstock (aka “Bean”) visit Hunter S. Thompson’s house for an incredible weed-infused dinner in this viral VICE video. PATREON Please support Great Moments in Weed HIstory on Patreon. Supporters get exclusive access to video shows and seshes, plus access to cool rewards like a signed book or signature lighter. And it truly helps us make the best show possible.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This podcast is for adults 21 years of age or older.
0:04.1	We talk about cannabis history and advertise cannabis products.
0:07.6	If you're not 21, come back when you are.
0:13.0	Spoke Media.
0:15.8	Hey, how's it going, folks? It's Abdullah.
0:18.3	And Bean.
0:19.1	And welcome back for yet another episode of great
0:22.3	moments in weed history. On this podcast, my partner Bean and I, who are both cannabis,
0:27.5	journalists and media makers, go through one of the more fascinating points in the very,
0:31.9	very long history of cannabis. I have no prior knowledge of the story we're about to hear.
0:37.3	Bean has written and researched it,
0:38.8	and he's going to be telling it to me and to you. We're going to smoke some weed. We're going to have
0:43.1	some tea. We're going to have a good time being, what do you got going on? Oh, I've got a story for you
0:47.7	today that is on the grand scale about fucking with the man. And it stars somebody who is not just a weed hero and not just a
0:57.3	media hero, but for both of us, I think, a weed media hero.
1:01.4	Oh.
1:02.2	I'm stoked to hear about it.
1:03.6	I'm about to twist up a Jay here.
1:05.7	Let me get started.
1:06.7	Yeah, if you're not quite there at home, now is a wonderful time to hit pause.
1:11.9	Do what my partner is doing.
1:13.5	Roll something up, pack something up,
	...

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