In debate, Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper call his state’s legalization of marijuana “reckless”

As reported in this local article from Colorado, headlined “Candidates: Marijuana legalization ‘reckless’: Both oppose cannabis; differ on corrections, education,” the current Governor of Colorado continues to criticize a law that a significant majority of his state voters supported back in 2012. Here are the basics:

Gov. John Hickenlooper said Monday during a gubernatorial debate with Republican challenger Bob Beauprez that Colorado voters were “reckless” to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. The Democratic governor’s opposition to marijuana legalization has hardly been a secret. But the statement is his clearest admonishment for 55 percent of the electorate that backed the initiative.

“To a certain extent you could say it was reckless. I’m not saying it was reckless because I get quoted everywhere. But if it was up to me, I wouldn’t have done it. I opposed it from the very beginning. What the hell. I’ll say it was reckless,” Hickenlooper said….

Some thought Hickenlooper might be warming to the cannabis industry after attending a fundraiser in August hosted by some of the biggest marijuana businesses in Colorado. But he made it clear on Monday that he remains committed to presenting a tough hand. “We’re not only the first state to do this, we’re the first country,” Hickenlooper said. “There are serious challenges when you build something from scratch.”

There are few differences between Hickenlooper and Beauprez on the subject of marijuana. Beauprez also strongly opposed legalization. “We have to regulate as tight as the law allows,” Beauprez said.

Also notable were these two comments to the article by readers appearing right after the piece:

Art Jaquez: “This is what is wrong with the two party system, no one represents the people.”

Jordan Maynard: “Funny that a Republican is touting the ‘tightest allowable regulation’ regarding something the people voted in, but when they run for office they proclaim less regulation is best. The Hypocrisy of Politicians never ceases. They hate the laws the people vote for, and suddenly it’s good to have heavy handed regulation. If we could have government without politicians things might actually work.”