Ron Paul championed industrial hemp and property rights Monday at a North Dakota campaign stop that was attended by hundreds of supporters. Dr. Paul espoused his long held stance against the federal governments ban on hemp cultivation, arguing for hemps remarkable resourcefulness and potential as a legal crop. Currently, the United States is the only industrialized nation in the world that has criminalized the growing of hemp. North Dakotans have an agricultural history that understands the benefits that the hemp plant can offer. In 2006, they became the first state to legalize the cultivation of hemp, but DEA and federal strangleholds have prevented the legislations effectiveness. Dr. Paul himself put it best to the receptive crowd: "there is no reason that in a free society people shouldn't be allowed to grow hemp. It's a good product."

To learn more about Ron Paul's position on hemp, check out this video;

Ron Paul achieved yet another straw poll win in Georgia this weekend. Paul collected 115 votes to Georgia favorite and former Georiga congressman Newt Gingrich, who collected 73 votes. Following Gingrich are Rick Santorum in third with 60 votes and Mitt Romney trailing in fourth place with 25 votes.

GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul is well-known for his prowess in straw polls, a traditional test of enthusiasm for a candidate. Ron Paul has now furthered his straw poll winning streak, winning the Tennessee Republican Assembly straw poll with 200 votes.

Following behind Ron Paul are Rick Santorum in second place with 62 votes, following him are Newt Gingrich with 38 votes, and Mitt Romney with 15 votes. 

 Ron Paul delivers a fiery speech after the Maine caucus results

Ron Paul performed well in Maine's caucuses Saturday night. Ron Paul, who registers well with the libertarian-leaning voters of the Pine Tree State, garnered 36% of the vote, nearly tying Mitt Romney at 39% for first place.

Despite the apparent loss, all is not settled quite yet. 5% of the votes still have yet to be cast, as some precincts in rural northeastern Maine decided to hold off their caucuses until next weekend due to snow. Several of the precincts are pro-Ron Paul, which could bode well for the congressman and allowfor a victory in Maine.   

There is a sense of renewed optimism in the Paul campaign, and it is tangible.

After a disappointing 3rd place showing in the Nevada Caucus, Ron Paul is on the rise again with a strong 2nd place showing in Minnesota. Again, the story here is all about delegates, and Ron Paul thinks he can beat 1st place finisher Rick Santorum for that number in Minnesota.

 “We had a very, very strong second place — and it’s going to continue, We do have to remember: the straw vote is one thing, but then there’s a whole other thing — delegates — and that is where we excel. So when the dust settles, I think there’s a very good chance that we’re going to have the maximum number of delegates coming out of Minnesota.”

The campaign is on a good track to score big with delegates, and our passionate supporters are usually more committed to the delegate process than other candidates, giving Paul an advantage. This 2nd place finish brings renewed optimism to our hope for the issues of sound money, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and respect for individual liberty that define Ron Paul's campaign. And, if Minnesota is any clue to the future, as Dr. Paul himself says: "it's going to continue."

GOP Presidential candidate Ron Paul received some good news today. A Reuters/Ipsos national presidential poll has the congressman in second place. Paul received 21%, falling behind Mitt Romney for second place.

Here are the numbers:

Mitt Romney - 29%

Ron Paul - 21%

Newt Gingrich -19%

Rick Santorum - 18%

A recent Public Policy Polling survey shows that people in Rhode Island are ready to decriminalize, and perhaps even legalize, marijuana. The poll found that nearly two-thirds (65%) support decriminalization while a mere 52% support legalizing marijuana 

Decriminalization had broad support across the board, with 73% of Democrats, 64% of Republicans, and 60% of independents voting in favor of the proposal. Decriminalization even held a majority over the least supportive group, voters over age 65, with 58% support.

Legalization is also polling favorably in Rhode Island, with 52% of voters saying they support taxing and regulating marijuana like alcohol.

A Virginia lawmaker's proposal to study the idea of selling marijuana through state-run liquor stores has failed. The joint resolution from Delegate David Englin of Alexandria was tabled on a voice vote Thursday night in a subcommittee of the House Rules Committee.

Englin, who does not use marijuana, cited states with medical marijuana, changing social atittudes, and the need for more revenue in his pursuit for the bill.

President Obama has taken to Youtube once a year since the start of his presidency to have citizens vote on the issues most important to them. Democracy at its best, right?

Well, the only problem is that this year, just like last year and the year before that, marijuana legalization was again voted the top issue on the American publics agenda, with 18 out of the 20 top topics being marijuana/drug-related.  Unfortunately, rather than answer the question (kind of) like last year, when he called marijuana legalization "a completely open topic for debate." The president instead completely disregarded all marijuana/Drug War questions during his entire 45 minute speech.

LAPD Deputy Chief Asks Obama About Marijuana Legalization

The 12-term Congressman finishes up an impressive year of fundraising

Ron Paul had a strong showing in the GOP presidential contest's 2011 fourth quarter fundraising. Paul, who has had great success with moneybombs and other quick fundraising tactics, also raised over half of the money -- $7.3 million -- from donors contributing less than $200.

In total, Ron Paul has raised $25.3 million and spent $29 million throughout this 2012 election cycle.