Kelly Clarkson Supports Marijuana Legalization

   

You would have to be living under a rock to not recognize that marijuana has gone mainstream in our society. Cannabis law reform measures are winning at the ballot box and more and more prominent people are supporting legalization. From entertainers to politicians, people are feeling comfortable coming out of the “cannabis closet” to either announce that they use cannabis themselves or support legalization.

Kelly Clarkson, one of America’s sweethearts, is the latest prominent entertainer to announce her support for legalization. From Rolling Stone:

You recently came out in favor of legalizing marijuana. How come?
I’m not even a pothead, I just think it’s funny that we legalize something as destructive as alcohol or pills and not that. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some alcohol, but I don’t know anybody in rehab because of pot. And I know a ton of people that have died either from liver cancer or behind the wheel. We legalize things that are so disturbing for our bodies, but one that’s completely fine, we say, “No, that’s bad for you.” I’m like, “Okay, enjoy your scotch. Enjoy your Xanax.”

Marijuana legalization will likely be on the ballot in California, Nevada, Ohio and a few other states in the upcoming years, so we can expect more people to live in areas with legal marijuana. Also, the issue will certainly be an important issue in the upcoming presidential election. If he is paying attention to the polls, Bernie Sanders will see that marijuana legalization will be one democratic primary advantage that he has over Hillary Clinton. Rand Paul, wisely, sees that sticking to his libertarian principles on drug laws, puts him in alignment with young Republicans and gives him the opportunity to bring new voters to the GOP. Thank you, Ms. Clarkson, I expect that your support will only encourage more prominent people to come out of the cannabis closet and into the marijuana mainstream majority.

Carl Wellstone is a writer, blogger and civil libertarian.