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Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Opposed To Legalizing Pot
Filed Under:Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Marijuana, marijuana use, Medical Marijuana, monica miller, New York governor's race, Rob Astorino, Steve Scott, Wayne Cabot, Westchester County Executive
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino (credit: westchestergov.com)Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino (credit: westchestergov.com)


NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Did you inhale?

The question about past marijuana use was asked of the newest candidate for governor in New York, Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, on the campaign trail Friday.

Astorino, 46, said he smoked pot when he was a college student, but noted he graduated nearly 25 years ago.

“It’s not like I was Cheech and Chong in college but yeah, I smoked a couple joints way back when but haven’t since,” Astorino told WCBS 880 on Friday evening.

Astorino, who officially launched his bid for governor on Wednesday, is the father of three young children.

“Tonight, I’m gonna tell my kids. They’re gonna learn a lot about what it’s like to run statewide with me and sort of the invasion of privacy. You give up a lot of that when you run for office,” he told WCBS 880.

Astorino launched a tour of the state shortly after announcing his candidacy and was returning home from Albany Friday evening.

Astorino said he might be open to legal medical marijuana in the state if it was strictly controlled.

“I don’t want this to be the gateway to more drugs and to the legalization of it,” the gubernatorial candidate said.

He quickly added he is against legalizing pot for recreational use.

“No, I am not in favor of that. I think you’ll see in a short period of time, Colorado is gonna go through big problems,” Astorino told WCBS 880.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has also acknowledged using marijuana in his youth, WCBS 880’s Monica Miller reported.

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