Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, says the state’s move to legalize marijuana has been a “very positive” experience. He believes adults should be able to decide for themselves whether to use drugs.
John Stossel, in an interview published on Tuesday asked the Democratic Governor about his libertarian-aligned policy positions, such as his position on drug policy.
Polis said, “Yeah it’s been great,” referring to the legalization at state level of marijuana and psychedelics in 2012. “We drove out a lot corner drug dealers. It has created jobs, tax revenue and a safer product.
Polis has signed a bill in May to implement the regulations for the voter-approved reform of psychedelics. While possession and personal cultivation are now legal for adults in Colorado, the regulated “healing centers” where adults can receive substances such as psilocybin, have not been licensed. The governor’s remarks about revenue and safety products apply primarily to the state’s marijuana market.
Polis was asked if he has any “concerns” about the reforms. He replied that “it is ultimately a personal matter.”
He said: “If you choose to use marijuana, drink alcohol or smoke, that’s up to you.” “The government shouldn’t decide that for you.”
The interview clip focused on cannabis and psychedelics, but Stossel shared an article he wrote for Reason about the exchange, which carried the headline “The Democratic governor who wants drug legalization and free markets.”
“In a new interview with John Stossel, Democrat @jaredpolis makes the case for the importance of individual freedom.” https://t.co/TKfsblYTdo via @reason
Jared Polis August 2, 2020
In June, at a conference, the Governor called on legislators to take steps that would allow him to pardon people who had previously been convicted of psychedelics.
Polis, who has supported the reform , calling psychedelics “promising treatment options” for certain mental conditions, had previously declined to support the proposal before the vote was held last year.
After the voters approved the psychedelics measure, he appointed members of a Natural Medicine Advisory Board to inform the state’s policy.
In June, the Governor also signed into law a bill that allows online marijuana sales.
Recently, he also approved legislation that strengthens marijuana-related protections to working professionals within the state. This effectively codifies an executive order he released last year.
Feds recommend buying a map to avoid bringing marijuana into national forests in Minnesota following legalization
Image element provided by Kristie Gianpulos.
The post Colorado Gov. Says Marijuana and Psychedelics Have Been “Very Good” For His State first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
