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JOPLIN, MO. -- Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson brought his message about legalizing marijuana to southwest Missouri this weekend.

Johnson, a Republican governor from 1995 to 2002, spoke in Joplin as part of the 2010 Cannabis Revival. Kelly Maddy, director of the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Legislation and organizer of the Cannabis Revival, said the weekend event was held as a way to encourage public involvement in marijuana law reform.

The Joplin Globe reports Johnson has toured the country speaking on legalizing marijuana and other issues. He says the drug should be regulated and taxed like alcohol.