DENVER – Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday advocated for federal reforms to marijuana, but said he does not advocate for blanket laws to legalize marijuana nationally.
“I don’t think the federal government should come in and tell every state it should be legalized,” Hickenlooper told reporters in Denver, responding to a question about his support for legalizing marijuana nationwide.
Hickenlooper announced his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination on Monday, joining a field that has largely embraced more permissive marijuana laws.
Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012 under Hickenlooper’s tenure through a successful ballot initiative. Hickenlooper, who originally opposed legalizing the drug in his state, said “the things I feared six years ago have not come to pass.”
“The federal government should reclassify marijuana so it’s not a schedule I narcotic,” Hickenlooper said. He acknowledged that, due to his moderate stance, he may not get the industry’s support.
The former governor also argued for banking reforms so that businesses handling marijuana money “don’t have to do everything in cash.”
However, he stopped short of fully endorsing a measure to legalize marijuana at the federal level and did not address calls to expunge the criminal records of those charged with possession.
Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerO’Rourke strongly signals he’s entering Dem primary in Vanity Fair interview New Jersey Dems tell Pentagon not to use military funds for border wall Conservatives accuse Warren of hypocrisy over comment on school admission scandal MORE (D-N.J.) has introduced such a measure and Sens. Kirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth GillibrandFemale candidates scrutinized more than men on likability, says pollster Dems offer bill to end tax break for investment-fund managers GOP turns Venezuela into Florida attack line MORE (D-N.Y.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisO’Rourke strongly signals he’s entering Dem primary in Vanity Fair interview Pollster sees ‘potential upside’ for Harris in 2020 polling Female candidates scrutinized more than men on likability, says pollster MORE (D-Calif.), Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) SandersSenate breaks with Trump on Saudi-led war in Yemen O’Rourke strongly signals he’s entering Dem primary in Vanity Fair interview Pollster says Dem primary candidates need to portray themselves as vehicles for change MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenO’Rourke strongly signals he’s entering Dem primary in Vanity Fair interview Panel urges UK to establish competition regulator for tech companies Pollster sees ‘potential upside’ for Harris in 2020 polling MORE (D-Mass.) all support his bill.