Jeb Bush provided a moment of levity and honesty toward the end of tonight’s debate. Prodded by Sen. Rand Paul, Bush admitted his drug use to millions watching the debate, fretting that his mother would be displeased, but that he felt the need to be honest.
“So, 40 years ago, I smoked marijuana. And I admit it. I’m sure other people might have done it and not want to say it in front of 25 million people. My mom’s not happy I just did,” the former Florida governor said.
Despite his past, he maintained: “Here’s the deal. We have a serious epidemic with drugs … it is appropriate for the government to play a consistent role.”
He asserted that Colorado should be allowed self-determination on the issue, but said he still opposed marijuana legalization efforts.
Paul responded: “Kids who have privilege like you do, don’t go to jail, but the poor kids in our cities go to jail.”
“I don’t trust the federal government should override the states. I believe in the 10th Amendment,” he continued.
The lighter tone struck by Bush was ended, however, by Carly Fiorina, who relayed her family’s tragic history with drug addiction.
“I very much hope that I am the only one on this who can say this … My husband Frank and I buried a son to drug addiction,” she said. “We are misleading young people when we say marijuana is just like a beer. It’s not. And the marijuana kids are smoking today is not the same Jeb Bush smoked 40 years ago.”
Bush is currently ranked fourth in the Washington Examiner‘s presidential power rankings, while Fiorina is in fifth place and Paul comes in at tenth.
