Would a lifetime member of the Mormon Church running for Mayor of Salt Lake City support hemp relegalization?
Of course, says Libertarian candidate Ken Larsen, and his views are right in line with the religious principles he's learned since his birth in Provo 53 years ago.
"It's all about free agency," says Larsen, who has a doctorate in biology from Brigham Young University. "We should all have the freedom to choose. This is the general philosophy ingrained in me in the LDS faith. It is also, in essence, the philosophy of the Libertarian Party."
A serene face framed in a graying beard (no mustache), Larsen looks like Brigham Young, the American Moses who fled Illinois to find religious freedom in the West.
"I'm glad to look like Brigham Young because I think he understood the principles found in the Book of Mormon and preached by Joseph Smith. King Mosiah, a prophet-king in the Book of Mormon, would never have allowed laws prohibiting people's freedom to choose for themselves."
Larsen is comfortable talking about changes considered taboo by other Mormons -- like legalizing drugs, gambling, prostitution and same-gender marriages.
"As a politician I stand to fight against laws that force people to behave," he says. "Laws of morality constitute the establishment of religion -- a violation of the First Amendment."
Larsen's main qualification for mayor?
"I have not had any experience being part of the juggernaut rolling over the people of this city," Larsen says. "I have a deep and abiding understanding of the Constitution. I know an unconstitutional law when I see one."
Larsen says he has no problem with the Olympics and the Light Rail in Salt Lake City BUT people should not be forced through taxation to pay the bill. He feels the same way about welfare, parks, baseball and the arts.
Hemp supporters in Salt Lake City have an opportunity to push the relegalization issue to the forefront of public debate by getting Ken Larsen through the primaries. Register and vote!