First candidate files in governor's race
Advertiser Staff
Jonathan Adler, an outspoken advocate of marijuana use for medical and religious reasons, became the first candidate to officially file nomination papers to run for governor yesterday, at the County Building in Hilo.
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Adler, 49, said he picked April 1 to file "to show the foolishness of politics, and the fact that the real choice is becoming more obvious every day — to get politics out of government."
Jonathan Adler advocates legalizing marijuana.
Adler, who lives in Kea'au in Lower Puna on the Big Island, said he is running as a member of the Natural Law Party. He has made several unsuccessful attempts to run for office, including Big Island mayor in 1996 and 2000 and the County Council seat representing Puna.
Adler has argued for years that state law actually allows marijuana to be used for medical or religious purposes. He has two criminal cases pending against him, one charging marijuana possession, the other charging distribution.
He is the executive director of the Hawai'i Medical Marijuana Institute and has been owner of Big Island Steel since 1986.
