Peter McWilliams, you will not be forgotten.

Some of us knew your personal warmth and love. Many of us knew you through your best-selling books, or your work for personal freedom. Millions more will feel your impact.

You died a casualty in the war on drugs. The battle was over medical marijuana. Voters in your own home state of California agreed with you that marijuana should be legal for medical purposes. Proposition 215 passed overwhelmingly in 1996, but the federal drug warriors ignored the voters, and your activism made you a target. For helping a friend produce medical marijuana, you were charged as a drug kingpin in federal court.

In the end, you were facing five years in prison, you were bankrupt from legal battles, unable to work, and forbidden to use the medical marijuana you yourself needed to keep down the medication for your AIDS and AIDS-related cancer.

You were awaiting the final sentence from the judge. But you could not wait very long. You could not keep down your medication.

• Renee Boje (Peter McWilliam's friend & co-defendant) -- Roberts Creek, British Columbia * Peter McWilliams will be in my heart & part of my spirit always!
• ragnar -- For fighting the good fight, and doing what was right even when the cost was great, we will remember you.
• G.E. Maynor -- As a person with AIDS (10 years) I know the personal suffering of day to day living with meds. God bless your son for his courage under the worst of conditions
• Paul T. Ireland -- I'm outraged and angry that the apathetic populous of this puritanical country allowed such a bright and wonderful man to die. No, even more than that, our government murdered him. I will make it my mission to join in his cause and bring him justice, even though he will receive this posthumously.
• Bruce Dunn -- Peace, Morris, NY
• Jason Sandberg (artist from MN) -- I first discovered Peter in 1997, when I purchased "Ain't Nobody's Business if You Do". I subsequently followed his political and legal persecution, and I do mean persecution. There is no way that this man, and the millions of consensual "criminals" like him, was a threat to anybody.
• D.J. Winn -- Mt. Washington, Ky. Compassion is this to much to ask for. Love to Peter's family and friends.
• GiggleCam.com -- One of our mentors. A kind gentleman with vision. Thank you, Chris & Marty Morrow.
• Alan Wilkinson -- New Zealand; Let's turn the War on Drugs into a netizen's War on Bureaucracy. The internet lets us join together as a powerful world-wide movement to create real freedom tools and to deny corrupt and immoral bureaucrats their life blood - our taxes. This is the most important battle of our time.
• Kyle Kingston, III -- Freedom isn't free. Thank you, Peter
• Chase Spaulding, Jr. -- Atlanta
• Jack Rigley -- Mountain View, CA. I *really* miss the torrent of email from peter@mcwilliams.com that used to pour into my inbox...
• anonymous989888142 -- San Diego, CA
• Richard Sincere -- (Charlottesville, Virginia) -- Peter McWilliams was a talented writer and advocate for freedom; his murder by the government snuffed out his life far too early, and with far too much cruelty
• Mark W.A. Hinkle, Libertarian Party of California Chair -- Peter gave delightfully upbeat speeches. He gave us hope and encouragement. What a tragic lost for us all.
• N.D.Fine -- Birmingham, AL...
• anonymous -- Toronto, Canada
• Fuzzy Francis -- Phx. Az.
• Ethan Straffin -- Palo Alto, CA -- Peter, I didn't know of you before your passing, my own initiation into the struggle having just begun. I regret that I was not there to express my outrage and sorrow over your persecution. May you look down from Heaven and smile as we take back our freedom, in our names and yours.
• vmjbest2you.com -- Kansas City, Missouri/ May the spirit of your beliefs continue...
• Philip A. Coates -- And there will come a time when the sun will shine only on free men. And the best and most idealistic among us will no longer be persecuted unto death and trampled under an iron boot for their struggle to live and to prosper and to build a world of free men.
• Mark McCauley -- Indianapolis. Peter, and his logical mind will be missed.
• Mr. M Romanchuk -- Vancouver Island, Canada. How very sad. How truely tragic that mankind must continually fight to be free. I offer my gratitude most sincerely to those who strive for this most laudable of goals. Peace forevermore.
• Barbara M Staples, Williamsburg, VA -- To Peter and all the people who fought and died defending freedom and liberty. Thank you, we owe you big time.
• Aaron Womer --
• Dave Miller -- Kirkland, WA - Peter will be forever remembered as one of the greatest libertarian thinkers of our time.
• Anthony Yowell -- Harpers Ferry, WV--- Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness-victims of our 3 headed dictatorship.
• Mark Akers -- War Is Over If You Want It.......
• Kevin -- Ukraine-former USSR
• Bob A. -- Mission Viejo, CA. The control freaks are out of control and Rights and lives are dwindling fast. The individuals sleep until their ox is gored and by then it is too late and at times fatal and final. This nation of sheep pecks away rarely noticing the hawk taking one of their own.
• gina -- maryland
• Edward O'Connor -- Scituate, MA Peter is and will forever be an inspiration to us all.
• Corey "The Cat" Bombard -- Port Huron MI
• anonymous -- we all must pass but to deliberately starve a man of necessary resources is inhuman... and an accomplished man at that
• hans ashbaucher -- thank you peter for your assistanct in the joe hart case in key west, florida. The two of you will be greatly missed. hans asbaucher-glass city NORML-Toledo,Ohio
• Chris Caputo -- Seattle, Washington
• Aaron D. Brown -- (Detroit, MI) Accept my sympathy, for the unjust passing of this great human.
• D. Nelson -- His compelling arguments and good-natured humor changed many minds. That is a mark of greatness.
• Andre Goldman -- Laissez Faire City
• Chris Vermilion --
• Marshall Steeves --
• Jay Holovacs -- Your book was one of the great contributions to the cause of personal freedom. Thank you.
• MATT HELLER ATLANTA,GA. -- It is a indeed a sad comment on the state of freedom in this country when many are compelled to list their names as anonymous.
• Tim Lynch --
• libertarianrev -- We will never forget you, Peter! Your tragic death is one of many reasons we will be marching in LA against the Democratic convention! Join Us!
• J. Kent Hastings -- Las Vegas, NV. _Ain't Nobody's Business_ is great. When I passed it around at a gun rights lawyers meeting a few years ago, they scanned it with interest, especially the pro-freedom quotations. Peter McWilliams' message will be embraced by all kinds of people in the future.
• John Barham -- Where one voice was silenced, thousands have heard the call.
• Ca --
• Matt Dingledy -- LET FREEDOM RING
• SteveZ -- Ottawa Canada
• Ben Wyche V -- Washington, D.C.
• Donna D. -- You have my deepest sympathies on the loss of a wonderful man. I can only hope that he left some of his courage behind.
• HEMP RANGER wag the dog USARMY -- victory shall com yet for pete
• John B.Kidd -- He was a Great man and a thinker. My wife and I bought 30 copies of his "Ain't nobodies business" and distributed them free to our friends and family ... We morn this great fighter for liberty and human rights, the world is poorer for his passing. He died as a martyr ...
• Bill Lambert (Northern California) -- In 1980 I "testified" before a SF Republican Central Committee Board, asking them for tolerance and to consider endorsing the California Marijuana Initiative. After unctuous promises of consideration, a participant quoted Martin Luther, "frogs need storks". Peter is one of our heroic frogs.
• anonymous --
• Charles Roberts -- I just bought Peter's book "Ain't Nobody's Business" through his website, hoping to benefit him and his noble fight in some small way. Now I find that he's been dead for a month. Peter was the hightlight of the 1998 Libertarian Convention. I'll read his book with renewed appreciation and sadness.
• Lynn Atherton & Roger Bloxham -- Tulsa OK We finally met Peter at the National LP convention, but we were both long time admirers of his writings and his work. His was a life of positive influence and gentle persuasion. Our hope is that his life will inspire us all to more tolerance and good will toward others.
• Mike Enright -- Ann Arbor MI
• Philip A. Card -- Mohawk Valley,upstate New York
• Robert Daunno -- I first learned of libertarianism through your book "Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do", it has helped me greatly in providing the vision of the free and just world that we need to get back to. Thank you for sharing your writings with so many, you've accomplished a milestone in my opinion.
• Hector Caraballo --
• Charles Hosea - Woodstock, GA -- He did a better job than anyone out their at trying to revive the notion of personal liberty and freedom to a intelecually sick population.
• Michael LaBrier -- Our government has grown into a monster. Most people don't have the guts to fight that monster. Peter did. I love him for that.
• Ernst Ghermann -- A tribute to an honorable man.
• David Burns -- I was saddened when I saw during the Green Party nomination that Peter had passed away. He was a bright candle back in 1993 when it was so hard (as it can still be) to find anyone that could see the light. God willing, Peter's wisdom will help to end the destruction of so many innocent lives.
• Don Formanek -- Moorhead, Mn.
• Richard Uberto -- Peter is one of the great freedom fighters of our time.
• Edward E Culver -- Montgomery, Alabama
• Dave Sill -- We must end the New Prohibition
• R Joe Cooper -- An inspiration in so many ways to so many people. Whether making it through the loss of a loved one, or making your life better, or finding the strength to live free, Peter had something wonderful to say about it. Thankfully his words live on, and so does the fight for freedom.
• allison --
• Pat Carver -- His writings have been an inspiration and source of exasperation for me.
• Julie Livingston, Omaha, Nebraska -- I send my prayers and sympathy for your loss.
• Rusty Brown -- Give me liberty or give me death!
• Jeff Brown -- Had some e-mail contact with Peter near the end. It was a pleasure. Will miss him. Clermont, Florida
• TK Lohman -- Before I read his book I was for legalizing marijuana but hadn't realized that there were other victimless crimes. He opened my eyes to a whole new world. Peter, we shall miss ye. McLean, VA
• Jon Osborne -- To have faced such adversity and injustice and never stopped fighting for what is so plainly right, that is true heroism. "These Christs that die upon the barricades, God knows that we die with them in some ways." Love to Peter's family and friends.
• Adam Hughes -- A Great Guy
• yankeedog -- Better a euphoric state than a police state!!!
• dave branagan -- The arrogance of public officials that think they know best is reaching stunning proportions. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he wrote to the effect that government needs to be overthrown every so often to prevent the sort of abuses of power that are commonplace today. We should be ashamed of it.
• Prakash -- It is a testimony to our times that a non-violent, productive person with a sense of humour is subjected to such torture. Dear Mr Williams, you have not gone in vain. Your story will be told to every liberty loving citizen on this planet. the state will yield someday.
• Steve Kress -- Ventura CA -- Your books changed my life and gave me the wherewithal to fight the entrenched thinking that the war on drugs has prodiced. You also influenced me with your prolific output of email concerning the injustice you saw. I will miss you daily.
• Meme Engineer -- AIDS and thugs may have won a mean, small and temporary victory, but they too shall fall, and Peter McWilliams shall then have in the end, won his large battle.
• Mr. Vivian McPeak -- I will always remember your sacrifice, your humor and wit, your creative expression and your undying love of freedom. We only get a handfull of peter McWilliams at one time on this earth, and do we ever miss you now. I swear you will not be forgotten. We love you...now you are truly free.
• Nicholas Rosen -- I hope that I will some day get the chance to ask Barry MacCaffery, or another prominent Drug Warrior, whether he feels any guilt for killing Peter McWilliams, and what compelling public interest was served by McWilliams's death -- unless it be to call attention to what's wrong with the Drug War.
• Dr Stephen Furon -- Southington, Ohio. As a man of science I cannot understand why our government must kill us to protect us. Vote Libertarian while you can still vote! I knew only your words Peter, but those words will live inside me forever. Thank you.
• Brock Faulkner -- Atlanta, Ga We should build a monument to this great man. Something the government can't destroy.
• Todd W. Hensley -- His book "Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do" helped make me realize that other people's personal behavior is none of my business. His voice in the fight for true freedom will be missed.
• Mil;ton C. Mann -- We must decriminalize drugs.
• John Prue -- Peter's book books showed me the truth about the drug war, and was the reason I became a libertarian. RIP
• Zev Sero --
• Henrik Jordahl -- How I hope that brave individuals like McWilliams will, by degrees, open the eyes of other people with drug policies based on reason, instead of prejudice and ignorance, as the consequence.
• Adaeon -- You fought the good fight ... take comfort in knowing how very much you've done for all the rest of us. Thank you.
• Jeff V. -- We ain't givin up! Let's fight for freedom from here on!
• Our Eneny IS Ignorance -- You were (and are) an inspiration to many. While you lost your battle against time, you (through those you inspire) will yet win your battle against the heinous war on drugs. Peace be with you. - Ed Howard
• Pontus -- Amsterdam
• Susan Thorpe -- This man is a beacon of reason and hope and will live forever in my heart after reading his book and enjoying his humor and intelligence. He was a courageous and righteous leader in his way...the only way I respect and can relate to. I can't express my outrage and distress enough of his death.
• Jeff Beaubien -- Your message will inspire the masses - I will personally see to it.
• D.J. Winn -- Mt. Washington, Ky.. Compassion, is this to much to ask for? Love to Peter's family and friends.
• Scott von Berg -- (Pompano Beach, FL) My deepest condolences on the loss of your son, he was from what I've seen a good man, and a force for making the world a better place.
• Michael F. -- Libertyville, IL
• Pieter Simone -- His book "Ain't nobody's business if you do" is a classic of liberty, it is a true perversion of our system that allowed this travesty to occur. He will be missed
• Kyle Kingston, III -- A true hero of the Libertarian Movement.
• Steven B. Adams -- Im 17 years old, and reading Peter's books and seeing his subsequent fate at the hands of our government has been a real awakening as to how things work in this country. How many more people have to lose their lives in our insane drug war?
• Tom Hinton -- How does "If you strike me down now, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine" sound...
• H. Friedrich -- How many martyers will it take before we can see that the drug war is failed. Will we continue to sacrafice life in an attempt to legislate morality?
• Gil Milbauer -- Snohomish, WA
• Alfonso -- you will not be forgotten. Oakland, CA
• Mike S. -- Berkeley CA
• Rick Olson -- "Ain't Nobody's Business" is now my bible. Peace.
• kitashea -- there is nothing right about the passing of peter mcwilliams. other than the fact that the universe demanded him elsewhere. his spirit will always reside in the heart of every marijuana activist.
• kls -- North Kansas City Memories of goodness, grow...
• jill priest -- and the fight for freedom continues.....
• Charles Randall -- Palo Alto, California. I was on Peter's listserv and read many of his books. He was an heroic person and we will all miss him very much. Thank you, Peter, for all you did. It's a tragedy what was mindlessly done to you.
• Nicolas -- As you already was aware of your name and contribution of values will live on forever
• Frank Cannella -- I’m very sorry that this happened to your son. I personally despise the cruel actions of the Government in this matter. Your son’s writings were very helpful to me during a very difficult personal crisis. We as Americans are always concerned about freedom in foreign countries and we are losing ou
• Bob Kuhn -- Minnesota
• Rob Hastings -- Yorktown, VA Not many will be remembered 1000 years from now but Peter may have his own holiday. One day common sense will be policy. Now were stuck with ignorance , hate, and a govt full of hypocricy and death squads. We love love you Peter. Thanks for all the good work you did..RHH
• Kelly Matthews - Washington DC -- Your son did not die in vain. I hope and pray only good things will come from this tragedy. That people, namely the government, would wake up and realize what true FREEdom is.
• Tim Stevens - London -- I derived enormous inspiration from Peter's book, Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do, and from his articles in Liberty magazine. His passing is a tragedy, and the complicity of the State in his passing is a disgrace. Deepest condolences to his mother.
• Scott Northrop - Seattle, WA -- The bad guys have made the classic blunder; they've made a martyr of a hero. If we who remember him will it, his voice will be heard even more broadly, and change more lives. A small consolation to those who shared his life, I know. RIP.
• June Kontvis -- Seattle, WA
• Dwayne Wegner -- Thank you for your contribution to the progress of common sense.
• Aileen Holovacs -- A fighter, a hero and an inspiration. I regret I didn't get to thank you.
• John Muir -- Pittsburgh, PA: Mr. McWilliams took a stand for the two noblest principles: reason and freedom. I hope one day this world will live up to his ideals.
• Brant Gaede -- Thank you for your life. You made and will make a huge difference for us as individuals and for society generally.
• Vincent J May -- He was a cool dude. May his spirit visit Texas.
• Donald and Jade Ward -- May Peter's killers roast in Hell!
• Rebecca Allen -- Seattle: I chronically force Ain't Nobody's Business on friends; McWilliams' will be missed
• Rob Mahon -- - Love and Justice shall prevail, my brother, your murder will not be in vain. Blessed be to all martyrs! No more martyrs! Santa Cruz
• Penny Burbank -- I respect anyone who fought for freedom in the way Peter did.
• Marty C. Keef -- It is with deep sadness at this loss I wish to express my thanks to this man who gave his life fighting for the freedom promised us by the Constitution.
• Sylvia Sanders Olson -- (Pocahontas, Iowa)
• Matt Pinsonneault -- Austin, TX
• anonymous -- I just heard of Peter, but his/our fight for our freedom is just and rooted in the American Revolution against Governmental tyranny. The fight continues...
• William P. Perry -- The death of Peter underscores the death of reason in the United (Police) States of "Amerika". History will be unforgiving in its judgement of the malevolence of the U.S. Government and will rank it alongside that of Nazi Germany and other repressive regimes. -- Bethesda, MD
• Michael Badnarik -- Austin, the proud REPUBLIC of Texas
• digga -- worcester, ma
• bart posey -- Another Great American gone to a Better place. he is a Hero. Merced, CA.
• Craig Thomas -- Ventura, CA.
• Carole A. Rand -- Your gentleness, courage and humor will live on to inspire us to never give up the cause of freedom. -Georgia
• Caro --
• Brian T. Wold -- May God be with you during your time of Loss. God Bless! Denver, Colorado
• John Dingledy -- I first met Peter's work in the early 80s and especially revere Aint't Nobody's Business. I would have liked to have known him. Life 101 has been a graduation gift from me to relatives each year since it was published. See you next time around maybe Peter....
• Dusty Sharp -- Riverside, CA This man was a true patriot...that is, one who fights, and even dies, for his COUNTRY, not his government. Peter fought so that all of us might be free. His fight will be carried on.
• bob black -- carona, ks
• D.A. "Art" Tuma -- Glad to know Peter McWilliams by his words. Sad to see him pass away. Furious at our government's injustice. Inspired by Peter to laugh at our leviathan. Running for Congress as a Libertarian. Sharing the memory of Peter McWilliams.
• Donna C. Lee -- San Diego
• Jeremy Bennett -- Twin Falls, ID
• BlessedBy2 on AOL -- I know very little about marijuana except that which I've kept up with because I care for Peter McWillams and his work. I know that his work in getting info about hypericum on the internet helped turn my young son's life around, and avert a possible tragedy. I owe him more than I can say.
• Michael English -- I first read Peter's "TM Book" in the early 70's. After a divorce in 1990, I found "How To Survive The Loss of A Love." Since then I have read "Ain't Nobody's Business..." and am currently reading "You Can't Afford The Luxury of A Negative Thought." McWilliams was an original and courageous thinker.
• Lynn Atherton & Roger Bloxham -- Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Dana Larsen -- I never had the chance of meeting McWilliams, but I was inspired by his books and his vision. We are all less for his passing.
• Frank H. Lucido M.D. Berkeley, California -- marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. Peter was a martyr in the "war on some drugs"
• Steven Stern -- New York
• Becca Stallings -- Pittsburgh, PA - The government wouldn't grant him privacy, and the media won't grant him publicity...while people who are so much less worthy are "celebrated". Someday America will acknowledge Peter McWilliams as one of our greatest heroes.
• Jerry T. Searcy -- Peter's death is a sad reminder that freedom is in short supply in the P.R.A. (People's Republic of America).
• Shara Glenn -- I just discovered "Life 101" and "Do It" in this past year. What a delightful way of writing a book! Peter would have given us many more gifts if he had not been deprived of medical necessities. I am also very moved by what Peter wrote on his webpage about the signers of the Declar. of Independ.
• Ribeye -- Mr. McWilliams will be missed. Thank you for the enlightenment.
• Peter E Fisher -- Turners Falls, MA - Like Peter, I was arrested for using marijuana as medicine (in my case, to treat hepatitis C symptoms). Peter stood up to the drug war with dignity and courage. He serves as an inspiration to me and thousands of others. May he rest in peace.
• Brad Petersen --
• Dr. James Golczewski --
• anonymous -- I did not know your son, but the hero that he became honors you and inspires all who love liberty.
• Russell Jonsson -- Reykjavik
• Daniel V. Bowden, Secretary, LP of Alabama -- In targest Peter McWilliams, the goverment has created a martyr over whom prisons hold no power. The tyrants will regret their mistake.
• Bill Murray -- BC Canada
• Justin Berkman -- The truly heroic man is he who commits himself to his principles regardless of the consequences. Peter McWilliams serves as as the quintessential martyr and hero. Now it is our duty to continue his fight.
• George Mason -- I hope the judge never needs pakalol (hawaiian). OTOH, I hope he DOES!
• Michael Church Voth -- The Puget Sound
• Bruce Reiman --
• Steven C. Anderson -- I'm a political activist in the Independence Party of Minnesota. Peter's landmark call for greater personal freedom for Americans continues to inspire my activities and those of my colleagues. His torture and death in our courts will not be forgotten. We need to do better. We will.
• Shannon Bouharoun -- It is truely a sad day when the people we should be able to turn to in need turn out to be the ones we cannot trust the most. Peter thank you for onpening some many eyes!
• garywise -- it's a start
• Miranda Blue Carpenter, -- Peter spoke the Truth. When he spoke at the Libertarian convention in 1998, I expected the electricity to go out, never has so much Truth been on the television. We will never forget you, thank you and God bless. Pendleton, IN USA
• Chuck Hall, MA -- Peter's death was a shameful tragedy, his life a beacon.
• Loraine Zella Laur -- My deepest sympathy for your loss and ours. May Peter continue to walk in the dignity of his integrity.
• Baran Galocy -- Thank You - Shasta County, CA
• David W. Payne -- Denton, TX • I never got to know you in person, Peter; but your spirit, glimpsed through your words, continues to confirm my optimism, my faith in freedom, and my pride in being an individual, an American, and a member of the human race. I am grateful tha
• Jay J. Krull -- Peter, you were a visible casualty in the war against ignorance. Let your death help us to give just a little bit more in the fight to stop this insane "war on drugs."
• Stan Lyness -- Sharon, MA - Your courage inspires us; your forgiveness challenges us.
• Linda Hamilton -- Oklahoma..He died for our sins, our silence. We must scream from the rafters until the drug warriors can ignore us no more. We must have our Liberty regained.
• Mark Schaeffer -- Atlanta,GA
• Bob LLewellyn -- War's kill real people, the stupid "war on drugs" has cost way to much.
• Kay Lee MAKING THE WALLS TRANSPARENT http://www.zyworld.com/kay~lee/garywaid.htm -- Two things saved my sanity after my 13 year old son died: Marijuana and a book Mr. McWilliams wrote about overcoming grief. God is great for giving us men like Peter. In true respect, Kay Lee
• Bill D. -- Not a criminal but a revolutionist
• Carlos R. Garcia -- Your bravery will serve as inspiration. You did not die in vain.
• Rebecca Kamieniecki -- Cambridge, MA
• Spencer -- Please lets not let your death be in vain. You were a warrior in life you'll be our martyre and My inspiration in the struggle to relegalize natures best medicinal herb! We love you and miss you!!!! Lodi,Oh
• R Chatfield -- With Liberty and Justice for All but One
• David Challacomb -- Victorville, CA please god let me helpo make sure this doesn't ever happen again
• Eryk Boston -- Marblehead, MA
• Katie L. -- Baltimore, MD
• Rebecca Rohan -- One of your books helped me to survive a battering relationship. Over twenty years later, phrases from your wonderful poetry come back to me and "catch me with your smile." Thank you, Peter McWilliams, and God bless you.
• Ross Levatter, M. D. -- I'm sorry I never got to meet Peter McWilliams; I enjoyed his quick wit and tolerant sole; his love of life and his delightful writing. His life expressed beautifully his love of liberty, his death expresses poignantly the lack of humanity and compassionate that forms the core of our Helper State.
• Daniar Hussain -- this one man will not be forgotten
• Hoosier USA -- A beacon of Light, touched so many lives; a beacon of Truth, opened so many eyes. Thanks, and be proud of your son, Peter's Mom. He helped alot of people.

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