Marco Rubio objecting to states rights?
Marco Rubio had an interesting and matter of fact answer for his stance on the legalization of marijuana. He also weighed in on states that have already legalized it.
Chuck Todd asked Marco Rubio a question that came via Facebook. “How does Senator Rubio feel about state legalizing marijuana?” Rubio responded as expected.
“Well, I’ve said that I’m open to medicinal uses of anything, and particularly marijuana,” Marco Rubio said. “And if, in fact, it goes through the F.D.A. process and you can come up with a proven medicinal benefit to that substance, I’m open to that. I’m not in favor of legalizing marijuana. I’m not. I never have been.”
Chuck Todd then asked him if he would use the federal government to supersede those state laws.
“Well, federal government needs to enforce federal law,” Rubio said. “Absolutely. I believe the federal government needs to enforce federal law.”
Given Republican proclivity to invoke states rights, Rubio’s answer was rather strange. What happened to states being the laboratories of our federal system. Marco Rubio stance is different than Rand Paul’s stance.
Bill Maher put it into context a few years ago. “If Republicans want to pass the torch to the next generation, they need to pass the torch. You say you are for freedom and for getting the government off our backs, why not embrace pot? You could own greed and weed. Legalizing it speaks to all the most hallowed Conservative principles like individual rights, deregulation, and of course taking jobs away from Mexicans.”
While funny there is some truth to the satire. Marco Rubio should lighten up.