His Life

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Peter Alexander McWilliams was born on August 5th, 1949. He lived in Allen Park, Michigan, with parents Mary and Henry, aka “Mac” and younger brother, Michael. In 1967, while still in his teens, Peter began publishing his own works of poetry long before the instant Internet. Come Love With Me & Be My Life started a series of poetry books which have sold nearly four million copies. Peter would later be inducted in the Allen Park High School’s Hall of Fame for his achievements. After attending Eastern Michigan University, he became a big fan of Paul Krassner and Albert Ellis. In 1971 Peter wrote Surviving the Loss of a Love, which was expanded in 1976 and also in 1991. Re-named How to Survive the Loss of a Love with co-authors Melba Colgrove, Ph.D., And Harold Bloomfield, M.D, this book has sold millions of copies. Peter studied with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi . In 1975 Peter co-wrote the TM Book with Denise Denniston which became a New York Times best-seller.. Peter also co-wrote the book "TM" with Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D. Peter met John-Roger in the fall of 1978 and became involved in its "Insights" program. Under the stage name Peter Alexander, Peter wrote, produced and directed "The Greatest Story Overtold." The movie was released in 1974 under the title of "The Thorn." It featured Bette Midler. Peter became known as “The Doctor Spock of Computers” and wrote a series of computer books including: Computers and the Disabled, The Personal Computer Book. And he appeared on TV many times with Bryant Gumbel and Jane Pauley. Peter's prolific writings also included New York Times bestsellers: LIFE 101, DO IT! Let's Get Off Our Buts and LOVE 101 to name a few. In 1992 Peter published a book of photography called Portraits. This book included photographs of Elizabeth Taylor and other celebrities, among everyday folks. In 1993 Peter wrote the Libertarian manifesto: Ain't Nobody's Business if You Do. To this day the book is considered a “Libertarian Bible” by many. In 1994, after battling his own depression, Peter co-wrote a book with Harold Bloomfield, M.D., How to Heal Depression. This book was followed by Hypericum & Depression. In later years, Peter became an outspoken activist for the use of medicinal cannabis. In March of 1996, he was diagnosed with AIDS and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Peter found that marijuana was the cure for the nausea he suffered as a side-effect of his medications. That same year, Proposition 215 had been passed allowing terminally ill patients in California access to medical marijuana. This was so important to patients such as Peter who found that the marijuana eased the nausea caused by the traditional medications he was taking. On July 4, 1998, Peter gave a passionate speech before the Libertarian Party convention and embraced their values. He became a Libertarian Hero .

Peter began his own online Medical Marijuana Press to help educate the public and was working on a beautiful masterpiece called “A Question of Compassion” and he felt the DEA was targeting him since he had become such an outspoken advocate of medical marijuana. He published a book on how to grow medicinal marijuana and he helped fund growing marijuana plants for the patients, but the Government claimed he was doing it for profit and labeled him a drug kingpin. Peter was going to trial and was under a gag order. He was forced to plead guilty and he hoped Judge George H. King would show him leniency. Peter blogged about the trial and kept the media and his supporters abreast of the situation through an email listserve. Peter asked his fans and friends to send the Judge letters of support. John Stossel was among Peter’s supporters and interviewed Peter. William F. Buckley, admired Peter and spoke out about his case. Peter had been jailed for thirty days and told if he ever used medical marijuana again, his mother and his brother would lose their houses which were being used as collateral. When Peter died on June 14, 2000, many called it a murder including Paul Krassner and Richard Cowan. Long-time activist Jack Herer was among those attending a rally/protest after Peter’s death.