Bernie Sanders timidly steps toward backing legal marijuana

Bernie Sanders is open to discussing legalizing weed

(Image credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live)

published 22 October 2015

"What is your stance on marijuana?" Jimmy Kimmel asked Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Wednesday's Jimmy Kimmel Live. Sanders pulled a face. He began by noting that too many people in the U.S. are locked up because of marijuana, adding: "I think we have to end the War on Drugs." Then he mentioned Colorado, where pot is legal for recreational purposes and he finally arrived at where the audience wanted him to: "I am not unfavorably disposed to moving toward the legalization of marijuana."

And that was it. After riffing off Kimmel's suggestion that the U.S. Postal Service get into the marijuana-delivery business, the senator from Vermont went back to his stump speech about government working for the people and not the billionaires and corporations. Watch Sanders tiptoe toward NORML below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.