As the marijuana industry continues to grow, it takes on a larger part in our society. Tax dollars from marijuana are already pouring in states that have legalized recreational marijuana and national leaders are taking notice. Federally, marijuana is still illegal, but looser regulations could allow marijuana businesses to run smoother and grow larger.
In previous elections, marijuana was a very taboo subject. But in the 2016 election, marijuana could play a major role in who gets the big chair. Here are three candidates’ positions on marijuana.
Rand Paul
Rand Paul was one of three senators to introduce the CARERS Act which would have allowed patients, doctors, and businesses in states that have passed marijuana laws supporting their practices to do what they do without fear of prosecution from the feds.
Rand had this to say when he spoke to ABC:
“States should be allowed to make a lot of these decisions. I want things to be decided more at a local basis, with more compassion”
Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders spoke of his time as mayor of Burlington, Vt.:
“I can tell you very few people who were arrested for smoking marijuana [when I was mayor]. Our police had more important things to do.”
Jim Webb
Jim Webb, a previous senator of Virginia wants decriminalization and education. He compared marijuana to cigarettes using this analogy:
“We didn’t make cigarettes illegal. We just got the information out there and educated people about the potential harm.”
No matter who you want to win, it is important to know their stances on the marijuana industry. Want to read more? Check it out here:
Photo Credit: Modern Scribe Photography
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