"We've got to have the guts to rethink the so-called 'War on Drugs'": Bernie renews call to legalize pot at debate

"Too many lives have been destroyed because people have possessed marijuana," Sanders said

Published April 15, 2016 2:50AM (EDT)

Bernie Sanders (CNN)
Bernie Sanders (CNN)

During Thursday night's Democratic debate, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders launched into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for supporting the omnibus crime bill her husband passed in the 1990s, especially the parts of it that related to drug sentencing.

"I tell you what I think," Sanders said, "we've got to have the guts to rethink the so-called 'War on Drugs.' Too many lives have been destroyed because people have possessed marijuana."

"Millions," he added, "which is why I believe we should take marijuana out of the federal controlled substance act."

Hillary Clinton replied that "we recognize that we have a set of problems that we cannot ignore and must address," but instead of addressing the issue of the crime bill her husband shepherded into law, she began to discuss early childhood education.

Watch Sanders’ speech here:

[jwplayer file="http://media.salon.com/2016/04/4.14.2016.demdebatewarondrugs.janetupadhye1.mp4" image="http://media.salon.com/2016/04/Screen-Shot-2016-04-14-at-11.40.19-PM.png"][/jwplayer]


By Scott Eric Kaufman

MORE FROM Scott Eric Kaufman


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Bernie Sanders Drugs Elections 2016 Hillary Clinton Video