Marijuana legalization backers are courting the support of conservatives in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. Pot is not just an issue of concern for aging hippies and organic medicine proponents anymore. Cannabis activists have successfully lobbied some prominent conservative politicians to lend a hand with their cause.

Former presidential hopefuls Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson appear to agree that marijuana is a states’ rights issue. Fiscal conservatives traditionally favor the power of governance to rest firmly in the hands of the people and local leaders as much as possible.

Colorado marijuana initiative (Amendment 64) volunteer Mark Slaugh had this to say about Republican and Libertarian support for the ballot issue:

“This is truly a nonpartisan issue. It’s fiscally prudent. It would be taxed, regulated, and monitored. It makes a lot of sense to Republicans.”

Tancredo referred to marijuana prohibition statutes as the enforcement of a nanny state mindset. Before attempting a bid at the presidency, the Republican politician was a congressman representing the Denver area.

Republican US Senate candidate Michael Baumgartner had this to say about Amendment 64 during an interview with the Associated Press:

“It’s taking a different approach to a very expensive drug war, and potentially a better approach. They’ve checked all the boxes as far as what you would want to see happen in terms of provisions to keep it away from children and limiting access in the public space. I’ve just been impressed with the initiative and the people running it.”

Oregon State Senate candidate Cliff Hutchison also supports pot legalization and noted such measures would cut wasteful government spending on corrections and reduce gang violence, according to CBS News. Wrapping the cannabis prohibition argument in a fiscally and personal responsibility banner appears to have even turned ultra-conservative Pat Robertson into a supporter.

Democratic governors in both Washington and Colorado opposed ending marijuana prohibition. Oregon’s governor, also a Democrat, has remained on the fence and not uttered an opinion on the matter publicly.