“We Have Got to End the War on Drugs,” Bernie Sanders on Jimmy Kimmel Live

   

Bernie Sanders has gotten rave reviews from marijuana law reform advocates and Drug War reformers with his policy proposals and comments. The Marijuana Policy Project gives Bernie Sanders an “A” rating, while we here at Marijuana Politics give the Vermont Senator an “A-” on his cannabis policy. Once Sanders gives his full endorsement for ending federal cannabis prohibition, he’ll get a full “A” from us, but in the meantime, we can’t help but be extremely pleased by a serious presidential candidate that has stated that he would be inclined to vote for marijuana legalization at the state level and that states should be able to legalize marijuana without restrictions from the federal government.

In addition to being open to positive marijuana law reforms, Sanders has been open about how the Drug War has failed and he has introduced important legislation to end the private prison racket. It shouldn’t be surprising that Sanders is on the right side of history when it comes to the Drug War, since he stated his opposition to the harmful war about four decades ago (in addition to being on the right side of marriage equality and many other issues.)

Sanders has never shied away from staying true to himself, regardless of the political consequences. Still, it was so refreshing to hear a serious presidential candidate unequivocally state that, “We have got to end the War on Drugs,” on a network talk show. While laughing at first when asked by Jimmy Kimmel about his stance on marijuana, the Vermont Senator talks about how marijuana legalization and the Drug War are serious issues because of our mass incarceration problem and the many lives unnecessarily ruined. Here’s the video:

Win or lose, Bernie Sanders has done amazing work for cannabis legalization and Drug War reform. He has demonstrated that being sensible on drug policy and marijuana law can be good politics. Hopefully, the next United States administration, whether it is a Sanders administration or not, will work will work with the newly-elected Liberal Party in Canada to help improve drug laws globally, starting with marijuana legalization.

Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.