In Short
Rep. Paul has been an outspoken opponent of marijuana prohibition and has consistently voted in favor of legislation to end the DEA’s raids on medical marijuana patients.
What Rep. Paul Has Done:
Rep. Paul has consistently voted in favor of, and cosponsored, the Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment, which would have barred the DEA from spending any money to raid or arrest medical marijuana patients and caregivers in the states that allow the medical use of marijuana.
What Rep. Paul Has Said:
On June 5, 2007, in Manchester, New Hampshire, Rep. Paul was asked if he would end the federal raids on medical marijuana patients in states that have approved its use. He responded, “That’s something that the president can do. I could just say, ‘state law overrides federal law,’ instead of federal law coming down with a heavy hand. I think you can do a lot to end that war without congressional changes because we have the authority, especially if you’re a state — states willing to take on some of these issues. So if a state wanted to start using that authority, they would be allowed.”