Regional
(2010-10-05)
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DENVER, CO
(KUNC) -
The American Constitution Party's candidate for governor Tom Tancredo says he would entertain a debate about legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Tancredo, Democrat John Hickenlooper and Republican Dan Maes tried to set themselves apart on issues like marijuana, taxes and immigration during an hour long debate Tuesday at the studios of KMGH Channel 7.
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This fall, California voters will decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, and there are signs that Colorado may consider a similar measure in two years.
Former Congressman Tom Tancredo says he'd welcome such a debate.
"There is no one that is more opposed to legalizing marijuana than the cartels and the drug dealers," Tancredo said. "They will fight it like crazy and will fight it in many ways including of course at the ballot, and why, because it's taking money out of their pocket."
But Tancredo stopped short of saying whether he would in fact support legalizing marijuana outright.
For his part, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said he wouldn't. Hickenlooper added that some people were abusing the system.
"I think the challenge here is how do we find the appropriate regulation to reign in that abuse so that people aren't using this as access to a recreational drug," Hickenlooper said.
Republican Dan Maes agreed, saying now is not the time to legalize marijuana.
"Folks we have to wake up," Maes said. "They convinced us for medical purposes to get their foot in the door and they're going to keep pushing harder and harder."
That was about the only exchange in which Maes and Hickenlooper took similar stances. Though most of the sharpest exchanges occurred between Hickenlooper and Tom Tancredo.
Recent polls have shown Hickenlooper's lead narrowing some, with Tancredo starting to break away from Republican Maes.
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