We all know that guitar great Carlos Santana is 'Supernatural.' But he's a fan of natural experiences, too - like those that come from pot. And he's calling on President Barack Obama to make weed legal.
"Legalize marijuana and take all that money and invest it in teachers and in education," Santana said in an interview this week. "You will see a transformation in America."
Although the president recently brushed off a recent online question about the decriminalization of marijuana, Santana says it's a decision that's "really way overdue, like the prohibition with the alcohol and stuff like that."
Money from pot equals education
"I really believe that as soon as we legalize and decriminalize marijuana we can actually afford a really good governor," said Santana, "who won't keep taking money away from education and from teachers and send him back to Hollywood where he can do 'D' movies and we can get an 'A' governor."
Santana's last comment is a clear reference to former movie action hero and current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Santana plays (and plays) Vegas
The guitarist made his remarks as he was promoting his upcoming residency in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The show debuts 27 May and runs through 2010.
"It's a milestone for me because I always said I would never do certain things," Santana said of playing the long Vegas stretch. "Yet what is very different is this is the year I decided to do all the things that I said I would never do.
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It's a way of coming into a room that I thought was dark and I would be afraid and I actually bring my light to it."
And apparently, when Santana lights up a room he likes to light up a certain something. (Associated Press)
Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.
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