"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.
