Most 2016 candidates are opting for a federalist approach to marijuana

marijuana
(Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been vocal about his dedication to maintaining the war on drugs, commenting on several occasions that he would use his power as president to prevent states from legalizing marijuana.

While Christie might have found himself in good company back in 2012 or 2008, most of the 2016 candidates from both parties — including Jeb Bush, Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Rick Perry, and Bernie Sanders— have taken a more hands-off, federalist approach. In the words of GOP candidate Carly Fiorina, "Colorado voters made a choice. I don't support their choice, but I do support their right to make that choice."

Christie may find a less emphatic ally in Marco Rubio, but polls suggest most voters won't be joining them on this issue.

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Bonnie Kristian

Bonnie Kristian was a deputy editor and acting editor-in-chief of TheWeek.com. She is a columnist at Christianity Today and author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community (forthcoming 2022) and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today (2018). Her writing has also appeared at Time Magazine, CNN, USA Today, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, and The American Conservative, among other outlets.