Home
Search transcripts:    Advanced Search
Notable New     Yorkers
Select     Notable New Yorker

Edward KocheEdward Koche
Photo Gallery
Transcript

Session:         Page of 617

Q:

And when did Barry Goldwater join with you on the legislation?

Koch:

The year before its passage: we got together in about 1973 on the bill.

The other bill was my marijuana bill, and that was to create a commission, and that passed. That passed in 1971. And then the legislation to decriminalize marijuana -- that has not yet passed -- but I'm very big on that. There's an interesting aspect there, too. The organization that is most active in that a very good organization -- is called NORMI. I'm not even sure what the acronym stands for. I think Stroup is the chairman, and he's a very able guy. He s a young lawyer, and he's married and has kids, and he's made this his life's work. And what is so interesting is: he told me he goes home every night in Washington and he lights up. And I said, “Don't they ever come in and bust you?” And he says, “No.” The fact is: said he to me -- “I said to one of the television people who asked me if I could take them to a marijuana party; they wanted to televise one, “No, I'm not going to take you to a marijuana party, but if you want to come home -- you'll have a martini and I'll have a marijuana cigarette. I do that every night.” I thought, “This is madness.” But it's nice he doesn't get busted. The only reason I mention him at this point is: they recently sent me a letter asking me to be on their letterhead.





© 2006 Columbia University Libraries | Oral History Research Office | Rights and Permissions | Help