GOPers open the door to legal marijuana

[babylonsister]

I'm sure $$$$$ has nothing to do with this~

GOPers open the door to legal marijuana
09/17/15 10:42 AM—Updated 09/17/15 11:50 AM
By Tony Dokoupil


Marijuana had a major moment at the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night, taking center stage for the first time this election season. But rather than launch a new war on drugs, several candidates endorsed the right of states to make their own decision on marijuana, clearing the way for an explosion of new pro-pot ballot initiatives in 2016.

Speaking at the presidential library of drug warrior Ronald Reagan, the GOP vanguard might have been expected to double down on opposition to the drug, promising to stamp out marijuana in America. But the biggest cheers came for Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Hewlett Packard executive Carly Fiorina –the three candidates who pledged to let local governments do what they want about pot.

They didn’t have a single soft word for marijuana itself, but they gave their ideological blessing to the four states where voters have already said “yes, please” to recreational markets. CNN moderator Jake Tapper set up the question with a reference to the sinking candidacy of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor who believes federal drug law should be enforced on the state level.

“If you’re getting high in Colorado today,” Christie recently said, “enjoy it until January 2017, because I will enforce the federal laws against marijuana.” Would Rand Paul do the same?

“I don’t think that the federal government should override the states,” Paul answered. “I believe in the 10th Amendment and I really will say that the states are left to themselves.”

The audience erupted in applause. And he wasn’t done.


more...

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/gop-just-legalized-marijuana?cid=sm_fb_msnbc

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. They can read public opinion polls, too.

Legalization now consistently polls above 50%.