GOP debates showed criminal justice status quo untenable

Criminal justice reform was raised for a few minutes during last night’s main debate. There was a spirited and fairly lengthy exchange involving Rand Paul, Chris Christie and Jeb Bush about marijuana use, states’ rights, racial disparities in drug sentencing and the war on drugs.

“New Jersey is the first state in the nation that now says if you are nonviolent, nondealing drug user, that you don’t go to jail for your first offense. You go to mandatory treatment.” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said. “I’m for rehabilitation, why I think the war on drugs has been a failure.”