Even CONSERVATIVES know it is time to quit taking people to jail for weed

Source: http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2012/09/21/tom-tancredo-backs-marijuana-ballot-measure/82193/

Tom Tancredo backs marijuana measure

By LYNN BARTELS | 8 Comments

[1]

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo [2] (The Denver Post)

Former Congressman Tom Tancredo sent a letter this week to certain Republican state lawmakers outlining his support for a ballot measure that would legalize the sale of marijuana.

“I have decided that it presents a responsible, effective and much-needed solution to a misguided policy,” he said.

“Eighty years ago, Colorado voters concerned about the health and safety of their families and communities approved a ballot initiative to repeal alcohol prohibition prior to it being done by the federal government. This November, we have the opportunity to end the equally problematic and ineffective policy of marijuana prohibition.”

He said today he didn’t send the letter to the entire Republican caucus because he already knows where some stand on Amendment 64 [3]. He hasn’t tallied up yet whether anyone responded — too busy working on a landscaping/electrical problem at his Jefferson County house.

“Make sure the worker has his papers,” [4] I advised.

“I’m pretty sure he’s legal,” Tancredo said, with a laugh.

Tancredo represented the 6th District in Colorado for five terms, ran for president in the 2008 cycle and for governor in 2010 on a third-party ticket, getting more than three times as many votes at the GOP nominee. He’s now back to being a Republican. The winner of the governor’s race? Democrat John Hickenlooper, who has come out against Amendment 64 [5].

Tancredo said in his letter that “numerous leading conservatives have voiced their support for reforming marijuana policies including “Pat Robertson, William F. Buckley Jr., George Will [6], Sarah Palin [7], Glenn Beck [8] and Milton Friedman [9].”