Ryan: States Should Decide Medical Marijuana Issue
From NEWSMAX:
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan said on Friday that states should decide whether to legalize medical marijuana — a position far contrary to that of Mitt Romney, the number one man on the GOP ticket…
“What I’ve always believed is the states should decide,” he added. “I personally don’t agree with it, but this is something Coloradans have to decide for themselves.”
Colorado voters will decide whether to legalize marijuana in a ballot issue on in the Nov. 6 election. That vote would allow recreational use of the drug and have it regulated in the same way as alcohol…
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EDITOR: Ryan has lots of company. A recent national poll found that 74% of the U. S. population want the federal government to “stop raids targeting medical marijuana.” Only 15% support prosecution under federal law. Ryan’s statement is hardly a an off hand market. Twenty-five years ago it would have been the kiss of death.
What’s odd about Ryan’s statement is that unlike some pols, he has a legislative record which contradicts it.
Project VoteSmart notes two recorded votes in which Ryan voted against amendments which would have forced the Feds to keep hands off state medical marijuana programs and legal dispensaries:
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/26344/paul-ryan/25/drug-issues
July 25, 2007H Amdt 674State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and ImplementationAmendment Rejected – House
(165 – 262)Nay
June 15, 2005H AMDT 272Medical Marijuana Use AmendmentAmendment Rejected – House
(161 – 264)Nay
He’s also not a co-sponsor of any of the marijuana reform legislation in the House. Rather shameless, really.