Rep. Jared Polis: Marijuana Legalization Now ‘MAINSTREAM’ In The Democratic Party

[Segami]

The legalization of marijuana is no longer a fringe issue within the Democratic Party, according to one U.S. congressman from Colorado. Rep. Jared Polis (D) said last week at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference 2013 that most Democrats now approved of changing the nation’s marijuana laws. “When I first got [to Congress]… there were a number of us who talked about it and of course a brave few Republicans — Ron Paul and others — who talked about it,” he said. “Fast forward to where we are today five years later, it has become a mainstream position in my party, the Democratic Party.”



When the House held a vote to defund prosecutions of federal marijuana offenses in states that had legalized the drug, more than three quarters of Democrats supported the proposal, Polis said. “And we still have a brave band of Republicans, whether they are for states’ rights or individual liberty, we have a brave band of Republicans, a new generation of tea party supporters and others who’ve replaced Ron Paul and work with us on all these issues,” he continued. Polis said it was only a matter of time before elected officials began to accept drug policy reforms, now that a majority of Americans support the legalization marijuana.



http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/28/rep-jared-polis-marijuana-legalization-now-mainstream-in-the-democratic-party/

[brooklynite]

1. I have no problem with legalization...

...but I don't think its a high enough priority for most voters to make much of a difference if Democrats endorse it.

[nashville_brook]

2. that's actually not a scenario that's in play, rather we're seeing it as

ballot initiatives at the state level, which helps turnout and down-ballot voting.

[Lordquinton]

5. This isn't about issues to voters

This is about issues to citizens. We're so focused on voters that we forget that there are vastly more people who can vote, and might if there is an issue that speaks to them.

This is one such issue.

And once we have them in the booth, we can have our way with them.

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Quick question: I note your username. Are you on the East Coast?

I ask because I've noticed a tendency of E. Coasters to VASTLY underestimate the importance and seriousness with which some other parts of the country take this issue.

[Scuba]

12. In Colorado, legalization got 50,000 more votes than did Barack Obama. Hmmmm.

[tridim]

3. Keeping that train rollin'! Thanks Rep. Polis and Colorado.

2014.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Segami.

[Warren DeMontague]

7. Fuckin A', Bubba.

let's hope the party conventional wisdom poobahs are listening.

[Scurrilous]

8. K & R

[Eleanors38]

9. Make it mainstream so the GOPers have to scramble for libertarian support,

so Democrats can advocate for lower expenditures on prison systems, so Democrats can advocate for marijuana regulations which make it more difficult for kids to obtain ganja.

[liberal_at_heart]

10. democrats in WA are working to tax medical marijuana. Any democrat who votes to tax a medicine will

not get my vote.

[RainDog]

11. the internet is responsible for this major change in public opinion

the reality, of course, is that a majority of American supported legal medical marijuana for more than a decade before the recent votes for recreationally legal mj in WA and CO.

but politicians could ignore these things, even when shown polls. they consistently assumed their constituents were more conservative.

but the internet has allowed people to share information and share that they support reforms to these outdated and reactionary laws.

the internet has made it possible to present petitions that the govt. has had to respond to in some way.

the internet has made it possible for liberals and conservatives to find common ground on some issues of individual liberties and on the reasoning for changes in laws - based upon what works best, not what sounds best to social conservatives and their fears.

social issues have made great strides because of internet activism and sharing - GBLT rights, as well.