Pro-marijuana mayor runs for governor

Springville Mayor Dave Thomas, who served two phrases as a state legislator from 1994-2002, has introduced he plans to run for governor of Alabama and has attracted consideration for his stance in favor of marijuana legalization.

“I consider we must legalize it and decriminalize it,” Thomas mentioned. “It has been a part of holistic medication for over 3,000 years. It’s confirmed now. Individuals used to say there’s no scientific proof of its medical advantages. There’s lots now. It’s helped with the opioid epidemic.”

Thomas mentioned that though some hashish oil remedies are authorized underneath Alabama’s medical marijuana regulation, he is aware of somebody who goes out of state to get a CBD compound. “The compound that’s been efficient for his son is just not authorized in Alabama,” he mentioned.

Thomas mentioned the legal guidelines criminalizing marijuana and placing folks in jail for it make no sense.

“You can not overdose on marijuana,” he mentioned. “It’s a pure substance. Till 100 years in the past, it was a part of medication.”

Thomas, 56, admits that he has smoked marijuana, however mentioned he doesn’t preserve any in his possession.

“There’s nothing round proper now,” he mentioned. “I can’t afford to be busted. They’ll pull me over. They received’t discover something. I put this massive goal on myself.”

‘Ardour for liberty’

His stance on marijuana displays his emphasis on private freedoms, Thomas mentioned.

“It’s illustrative of a ardour for liberty,” he mentioned. “My liberty is just not somebody’s else’s to grant. They’ll destroy your life over a pure substance that requires no processing by any means.”

Thomas believes he’ll join with folks on points comparable to marijuana decriminalization and his name to abolish grocery taxes and the state earnings tax as a number of neighboring states have.

“I’m working to ease the burden on households,” he mentioned. “The momentum is rising to repeal the grocery tax. I feel it’s abhorrent to tax folks on the very factor they should survive. Take away the earnings tax. Individuals will take that cash and make investments or spend it. The state income supply would solely enhance. It could be incredible for all.”

Individuals might imagine he’s a longshot, but it surely’s votes, not cash, that decides elections, he mentioned.

“I definitely don’t have the hundreds of thousands of {dollars} obtainable to me that three of the candidates do,” Thomas mentioned, referring to incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey and fellow Republican challengers Tim James, son of former Gov. Fob James, and Lindy Blanchard, a major donor to President Donald Trump who served as his ambassador to Slovenia. “They’re so out of contact.”

The Republican main is ready for Might 24.

“It’s a crowded subject,” Thomas mentioned. “If Gov. Ivey is so widespread, why is she drawing a lot opposition? She’s overpassed a pair issues: what it means to be a conservative, and what it means to be a Republican. If voters suppose Kay Ivey’s carried out a terrific job, I encourage them to vote for her.”

Slender loss

Along with his two phrases as a state consultant, Thomas ran for statewide workplace as soon as earlier than. He was the Republican nominee for secretary of state in 2002, defeating Troy King within the main and Dean Younger within the runoff, and narrowly misplaced by about 4,000 votes to former Alabama Training Affiliation President Nancy Worley, the Democratic nominee, within the common election.

“I raised and spent $90,000 in that election,” Thomas mentioned. “”I practically pulled it off, with no TV advertisements. I’ve been outspent earlier than. Stranger issues have occurred. I’ve seen the voters communicate loud and clear. I got here up just a bit bit quick. I had plenty of floor assist.”

Thomas expects plenty of grassroots assist once more from individuals who consider criminalizing marijuana has been a failed coverage.

‘Frequent man’

Thomas for greater than 20 years has been president of APSCO, Alabama’s Premier Service Firm, which focuses on industrial power-washing.

He and his spouse, Bonnie, have two grown kids, Meg and Jay, and 4 grandchildren.

“I want someone would step up and communicate up for the frequent man,” Thomas mentioned.

Thomas was elected mayor of Springville in 2020.

“It’s an entire totally different ballgame being a CEO of a small metropolis,” he mentioned.

His eight years serving within the state legislature confirmed him there’s plenty of room for enchancment in state authorities, he mentioned.

“I’ve bought expertise and information in how the method works and the way it ought to work,” Thomas mentioned.

If Alabama voters need to see a change in state drug legal guidelines, they will make it occur by altering leaders, he mentioned.

“If the voters step up on Might 24 and select Dave Thomas as their governor, I don’t suppose the legislature can be sensible to disregard the message,” he mentioned. “I’ve at all times felt this fashion, however I didn’t really feel prefer it was value going public about it.”

He thinks lots of people share his views.

“We have to have commonsense legal guidelines on marijuana,” he mentioned. “It’s being confirmed that it actually is a miracle plant. For those that need to make their very own beer, make their very own wine, develop their very own backyard together with rising marijuana, they need to be capable to.”

Hemp trade

In 2019, Alabama began an Industrial Hemp Analysis Pilot program, with farmers being allowed to grow the state’s first industrial hemp crop this century.

Thomas believes that needs to be expanded.

“We will convey the textile trade again by increasing the hemp cultivation program,” he mentioned.

“The hemp plant is a way more various uncooked materials than pulp and it doesn’t take 20 years to develop the following harvest. It’s an untapped alternative.”

Alabama can produce what customers need and wish, he mentioned.

“We’ve misplaced self-sufficiency,” Thomas mentioned. “There’s nothing folks in Alabama want we are able to’t do for ourselves. With the power of our agricultural trade, there’s no purpose for anybody to be hungry.

We’ve bought the belongings to essentially shine and be an instance for the remainder of the nation.”

Lottery

Thomas mentioned he favors a lottery, however not one set as much as fulfill particular pursuits which have been behind earlier laws proposed in Alabama.

“If Alabama does have a lottery, it will be in our curiosity to hitch Powerball,” he mentioned. “If they may flip a deaf ear to particular pursuits and put collectively laws that will profit Alabama, then I’d assist it. I’m extra all in favour of serving to the folks of Alabama. If the governor would current a bundle that was actually greatest for the folks of Alabama, it will be troublesome for members of the Legislature to vote in opposition to it.”

Prohibition-style legal guidelines proscribing private selection on lotteries for ethical causes must be re-examined, he mentioned.

“In the event you don’t need to purchase a lottery ticket, don’t purchase one, and should you don’t need an grownup beverage, don’t go to the liquor retailer,” Thomas mentioned. “You’ll be able to’t simply inform different folks ‘You’ll be able to’t do what you need to do as a result of I say so.’”

Bagpipes and skydiving

In his spare time, Thomas has taken up bagpipe-playing.

“I play bagpipes on the aspect, sporting a kilt,” he mentioned. “I’ve carried out half a dozen weddings and I’ve bought a funeral in Clanton on Saturday.”

He has additionally made 36 jumps from airplanes.

“I bought into skydiving – it untangles my thoughts,” Thomas mentioned.

“In politics, notion is actuality,” he mentioned. “Everyone’s so involved about optics. I’m a kilt-wearing, bagpipe-playing, skydiving politician. There’s a clear distance between me and the opposite candidates.”