Marijuana is shaping up to be the new gay marriage of GOP politics – most Republicans would rather not talk about it, except to punt to the states.
But when it comes to the 2016 presidential race, a series of legalization ballot initiatives – and a certain outspoken Kentucky senator – could make it harder for the Republican field to avoid the conversation.
When asked to articulate their positions on recreational marijuana, several potential GOP 2016 candidates have tried to strike a tricky balance: stress the downsides of pot use and the upsides of states’ rights. Some have indicated their openness to decriminalizing pot, at least in their state, but none favors outright legalization.
