Texas Gov. Rick Perry told
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" why his administration has worked to
decriminalize marijuana.
Texas has been lowering marijuana penalties for more than a decade, he said.
"We're trying to be smart about it," he said. "You don't want to ruin a kid's life for having a joint."
Kimmel's show is originating in Austin, Texas, all week as part of the annual South by Southwest Festival, and part of the crowd greeted the Republican governor with boos when he was introduced.
"What have you done to make these people dislike you so intensely?" Kimmel asked.
Perry, who is stepping down this year after 14 years as governor, the longest term of anyone in the state's history, admitted the South by Southwest crowd wasn't likely filled with his supporters.
The governor declined to answer when Kimmel asked if he'd run for president again.
"This is not the crowd I want to make this announcement to," Perry joked.
"Why would you run for president?" Kimmel asked. "It didn't go that great last time."
Perry's 2012 run for the Republican nomination was plagued by gaffes on the campaign trail. During a televised debate he famously forgot one of the governmental departments he had vowed to eliminate if elected.
"America is a great place for second chances," Perry answered. "Let's just leave it at that."
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