Oregon Senator Backs Measure 91

Add U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley to the growing list of Measure 91 supporters. "I lean in favor of this," he says.

"I lean in favor of this ballot measure," says U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley about the Oregon initiative that would legalize marijuana if voters pass it in November. He tells TPM:

'I think folks on both sides of the argument make a good case. And there is concern about a series of new products - and we don't have a real track record from Colorado and Washington. But I feel on balance that we spend a lot of money on our criminal justice system in the wrong places.'

Merkley is running for re-election against Republican opponent Monica Wehby. He leads her by 20 points in recent polls.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.