Post-presidency of Gerald Ford Post-presidency of Gerald Ford Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. After his tenure's end, Ford was active in the public sphere, traveling, writing a memoir, and voicing his opinion about contemporary issues within the United States and abroad. The Nixon pardon controversy eventually subsided. Ford's successor, Jimmy Carter, opened his 1977 inaugural address by praising the outgoing President, saying, "For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." After leaving the White House, the Fords moved to Denver, Colorado.
Cannabis policy of the Gerald Ford administration should be a lower enforcement priority. In his own family life, Ford confronted issues of drug use, particularly that of his wife Betty Ford who was later hospitalized for addiction to alcohol and opiates. In a 1975 interview, Betty Ford said of her children "I'm sure they've all tried marijuana," which was confirmed in October 1975 when Jack Ford publicly stated that he had tried marijuana, and downplayed any concerns regarding the drug. In response, Gerald Ford stated that while he did not approve of cannabis use, it was a "very honorable thing" for Jack to admit to its use,