Former New Mexico Gov. Named CEO of Cannabis Company

One-time governor of New Mexico and Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson has been named CEO and president of a new company that intends to develop products for both the medical and recreational sectors of the legal marijuana trade.

Earlier this week, Cannabis Sativa Inc. announced that Johnson, a longtime marijuana advocate, would oversee its newfound acquisition of the Nevada-based cannabis research firm “Kush,” which company officials say will be used to experiment with the expansion of new marijuana strains and various delivery systems.

With many states across the nation having already legalized marijuana in some form, including for recreational use in both Colorado and Washington, Johnson says the company plans to develop a variety of new cannabis formulas and recipes that he believes will take natural cannabis products to a whole new level.

“With the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, we are already seeing that the demand is significant,” said Johnson in a recent statement. “We believe the opportunity is here to deliver products that could change the world for the better.”

The primary focus of the new company is to produce a series of smokeless products for the marijuana enthusiast, with a special focus on developing lozenges for children suffering from epilepsy. “Couple of things hit you when you try the product. One is, wow, why would anybody smoke marijuana given this is an alternative?” Johnson told The Associated Press. “And then secondly, it’s just very, very pleasant. I mean, very pleasant.”

In addition, the company announced that Kush founder Steve Kubby, a former Libertarian candidate for the California Governor’s office, will serve as chairman of the new operation.

Although the company’s production process is restricted in many ways due to federal law, which still classifies marijuana a Schedule I dangerous substance, Johnson predicts the government’s outlook on the prospective nationwide pot market is about to change. “I think in 10 years, for the most part, the US will legalize marijuana,” he said. “And what the US does, so does the world.