HuffPo - Marijuana Legalization Backers Courting Conservatives

[svf]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/16/marijuana-legalization-conservatives_n_1969556.html

DENVER — It's not all hippies backing November's marijuana legalization votes in Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

Appealing to Western individualism and a mistrust of federal government, activists have lined up some prominent conservatives, from one-time presidential hopefuls Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul to Republican-turned-Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

Tom Tancredo... !?! Will wonders never cease?

 

[sailingaway]

state autonomy.

 

[svf]

state autonomy.

Sure, but check out these quotes too - he actually seems to support the idea of legalization... I guess this is progress!

"What is the law against marijuana if it isn't the Nanny State telling you what you can do and what you can't do to your body and with your body?" asked Tancredo, a former Republican congressman from suburban Denver who briefly ran for president in 2008 and endorsed the measure on the steps of the state capitol. He compared federal law to New York City's ban on sugary sodas.

Tancredo launched a radio ad this week in which he compares marijuana prohibition to alcohol prohibition as a "failed government program" that, in this case, "steers Colorado money to criminals in Mexico."

"Proponents of big government have duped us into supporting a similar prohibition of marijuana – even though it can be used safely and responsibly by adults," Tancredo said.

 

[jbauer]

just what we need, a bunch of mainstream folks thinking we're a bunch of druggies

 

[sailingaway]

Sure, but check out these quotes too - he actually seems to support the idea of legalization... I guess this is progress!

I'm not sure he was ever that against it, and his base is in Colorado where it is popular.

 

[sailingaway]

apparently Colorado's largest union just backed legalizing marijuana.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/15/colorado-union-backs-legal-weed_n_1968509.html

 

[svf]

I'm not sure he was ever that against it, and his base is in Colorado where it is popular.

Yeah, I guess he's been on the record on this since 2009 - not sure where he stood while in office, however...

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/tom-tancredo-says-legalize-drugs/

Former Rep. Tom Tancredo is no libertarian. After all, he made his name attacking immigration. But the former member is now speaking politically painful truths.

Yesterday he spoke to a local Republican group in Denver:

Admitting that it may be “political suicide” former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo said its time to consider legalizing drugs.

He spoke Wednesday to the Lincoln Club of Colorado, a Republican group that’s been active in the state for 90 years. It’s the first time Tancredo has spoken on the drug issue. He ran for president in 2008 on an anti-illegal immigration platform that has brought him passionate support and criticism.

Tancredo noted that he has never used drugs, but said the war has failed.

“I am convinced that what we are doing is not working,” he said.

 

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

just what we need, a bunch of mainstream folks thinking we're a bunch of druggies

I wouldn't worry too much about what the alcoholics think.

 

[Monotaur]

Yeah, I guess he's been on the record on this since 2009 - not sure where he stood while in office, however...

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/tom-tancredo-says-legalize-drugs/

Pretty sure he was on record in 2008 as being against drug prohibition. At least one debate he said this as I recall.

 

[Monotaur]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/16/marijuana-legalization-conservatives_n_1969556.html



Tom Tancredo... !?! Will wonders never cease?

While I don't care for Tancredo much (he likes to make fun of us when he thinks we aren't looking...), he is absolutely right on this issue. It is very interesting that he is endorsing amendment 64. Many Republicans in my county here in Colorado are against amendment 64 but love Tancredo. I hope that this changes their minds and they at least stop campaigning against amendment 64.

 

[dannno]

just what we need, a bunch of mainstream folks thinking we're a bunch of druggies

You don't want.... "mainstream folks"...... thinking that "Conservatives" are...... druggies??

What drugs do you do?

Politics would be a lot less confusing if people on the left always supported bigger government and people on the right always supported less.

 

[jkr]

I wouldn't worry too much about what the alcoholics think.

^THIS^

TIMES INFINITY