Marijuana will be the great unifier of polarized U.S.: Jesse Ventura

The increasing polarization and divisiveness of American politics might prove helpful in Jesse Ventura’s ongoing battle to legalize marijuana south of the border, said the author, former professional wrestler and governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.

“This could be the issue of revolution in the United States,” he told The West Block’s Tom Clark. “The people should rise up with this issue to send a message to Washington: we’re the boss, not you. We’re the employer, you’re the employee, and you’re there to do our bidding.”

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Aside from his past careers as a writer, pro wrestler and public office holder, Ventura was also a member of the elite U.S. Navy SEALS and a visiting fellow at Harvard University. He’s never been shy about sharing his views on most matters, and his latest book, called Marijuana Manifesto, is a call to federally legalize pot south of the border and cash in on the black market.

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Ventura, speaking on Sunday from Minneapolis, said that although the political landscape in the United States seems to be imploding, voters actually have quite a bit of common ground.

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Federal law in the United States criminalizes the use, sale, possession, cultivation and transportation of pot. However, the law stipulates that a state can decriminalize marijuana for recreational or medicinal use so long as regulations are established. Four states have legalized pot for both medical and recreational use, 12 have medical marijuana and decriminalization laws, and another 10 have legalized only medical marijuana.

Eventually, Ventura said, all states will legalize the plant.