In 1970, Hunter S. Thompson ran for the office of Sheriff of Aspen, Colorado on a campaign of marijuana legalization; the freaks who had left the major cities for the relatively tranquil mountain life rallied to his support, and he lost by a relatively small number (only 400 votes out of 2400). What makes this little clip worth viewing is the claim by the opposition that if marijuana is legalized, there’s going to be a slew of murders and orgiastic ultra-violence in peaceful Aspen. Hunter S. Thompson’s decision that his defeat means the “American dream is fucked” is ridiculous, of course, but you’ve just got to love his in-your-face swagger. I’d have liked the ending quote better if he’d won, if only for the sake of irony.
Hunter S. Thompson Runs For Sheriff
