Q&A
Chris: Three Republican presidential candidates have shown an openness to handing over control of drugs and medical marijuana to the states. Would you continue the current federal policy making marijuana illegal in all cases or give the states more control?
Newt: I would continue current federal policy, largely because of the confusing signal that steps towards legalization sends to harder drugs.
I think the California experience is that medical marijuana becomes a joke. It becomes marijuana for any use. You find local doctors who will prescribe it for anybody that walks in.
Chris: Why shouldn't the states have control over this? Why should this be a federal issue?
Newt:Because I think you guarantee that people will cross state lines if it becomes a state-by-state exemption.
I don't have a comprehensive view.
My general belief is that we ought to be much more aggressive about drug policy. And that we should recognize that the Mexican cartels are funded by Americans.
He also has a ridiculously clueless position on Cuba during the interview.
There are lot of good insights on what Newt thinks however irrational it is at the link
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/newt-gingrich-drug-laws-entitlements-campaigning-yahoo-news-152936251.html