Mark Elworth Jr.
Mark G. Elworth Jr. (born August 6, 1976) is an American freelance artist, businessman, cannabis rights activist, and frequent candidate for public office. Elworth, who was the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 2014, was the Legal Marijuana Now candidate for Vice President of the United States in 2016.[1][2]
Elworth runs a free community garden in South Omaha, Nebraska. Elworth, who has petitioned in the past for ballot access for the Nebraska Green Party and the Libertarian Party of Nebraska, is leading a statewide petition drive to acquire ballot access for a Nebraska Legal Marijuana Now Party.[3][4]
Life and activism[edit]
When Mark Elworth was young, he was arrested several times for cannabis possession. He told a reporter for The Daily Nebraskan that even though the charges were misdemeanors, the record of infractions has haunted him as an adult.[5]
Elworth, who holds two degrees from the University of Nebraska Omaha, operates a free community garden in South Omaha. He is a volunteer coordinator petitioning for cannabis decriminalization, and for several state political parties.[1][4][5]
Green Party[edit]
Elworth got involved in politics in the 1990s, volunteering for the Green Party during the 2000 Ralph Nader presidential campaign. In 2016, Elworth was a Green Party candidate for Nebraska Legislature.[6][7]
Libertarian Party[edit]
Elworth began working for the Libertarian Party during the Nebraska branch's 2010 ballot access petition drive.[2]
Elworth was the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 2014. He campaigned on a platform of marijuana legalization, and cutting corporate welfare. Elworth spent $500, saying that he was running a grassroots campaign and did not accept any large contributions.[2][6][8]
Legal Marijuana Now Party[edit]
In 2015–2016, Elworth petitioned for a Marijuana Party of Nebraska to be officially recognized by the state. In order to make the ballot, he needed 5,397 signatures statewide. In July, 2016, the party turned in 9,000 signatures to the Nebraska Secretary of State. However, the Secretary of State said that half of the signatures were invalid, falling short of the 5,397 needed.[3][9]
In 2016, Elworth changed the name of the Nebraska party to Legal Marijuana Now.[7]
Elworth was the Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate for Vice President of the United States in 2016. His name appeared on ballots in Iowa, and Minnesota.[10][11][12]
After failing to make it onto Nebraska ballots in 2016, Elworth began circulating petitions for 2018 ballot access for a Nebraska Legal Marijuana Now Party in September, 2016.[7][13]
Elworth said the group will collect double the number of signatures they submitted in 2016, in order to ensure their success. As of September, 2017, Elworth told a television reporter that Legal Marijuana Now Party had gathered signatures of 10,000 registered Nebraska voters.[14][15]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Walton, Don (October 12, 2014). "Elworth is third governor candidate". Lincoln Journal Star.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ozaki, Andrew (October 17, 2014). "Mark Elworth Jr.'s shaking up election with unflinching honesty". KETV 7 ABC News.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Activists petition for Marijuana Party of Nebraska". Kearney Hub. July 13, 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dortch, Winnie (February 6, 2017). "Man creates community garden that gives free fruits and vegetables". Fox 42 KPTM TV News.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Olson, Emma (November 28, 2016). "Narcotics charges increasing at UNL". The Daily Nebraskan.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wilkinson, Melanie (July 12, 2014). "Nebraska governor hopeful Mark Elworth Jr. looks to fuel Libertarian Party's fire". Omaha World-Herald.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Pluhacek, Zach (September 14, 2016). "Marijuana groups already petitioning for 2018 ballot". Lincoln Journal Star.
- ↑ Knapp, Fred (October 22, 2014). "Property tax, marijuana, backgrounds divide Nebraska candidates for governor". NET Nebraska PBS-NPR News.
- ↑ Associated Press (August 5, 2016). "Marijuana Party petition drive fails to result in ballot placement". Lincoln Journal Star.
- ↑ Adams, Mike (September 5, 2016). "HIGH TIMES Legislative Roundup: September 5". High Times.
- ↑ Stoddard, Martha (July 23, 2016). "Marijuana Party seeks spot on ballot for presidential race". Omaha World-Herald.
- ↑ Associated Press (July 25, 2016). "Marijuana Party candidates could appear on Nebraska ballot this fall". The Denver Post.
- ↑ Jordan, Spike (May 12, 2017). "Legalize Marijuana Now advocates petition to get pro-marijuana third-party on the ballot". Scottsbluff Star Herald.
- ↑ Chitwood, Joe (July 12, 2017). "Pro-pot party petition drive reaches North Platte". North Platte Bulletin.
- ↑ Ozaki, Andrew (September 29, 2017). "Medical marijuana advocates petition to form Nebraska political party". KETV 7 ABC News.
External links[edit]
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