Von Anhalt's political platform includes legalizing marijuana and prostitution, lifting the import ban on Cuban cigars then taxing them all.
The 65-year-old flew to Sacramento Wednesday from his Los Angeles home to file his candidate papers.
Von Anhalt says he was motivated to run by watching the mistakes of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who he says has let Californians down.
Von Anhalt is the only independent in a field that includes Republicans Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner and the presumed Democratic candidate, Attorney General Jerry Brown.
