VP candidate Paul Ryan: States should decide medical marijuana laws for themselves

In a pre-taped interview based on questions submitted by viewers of KRDO in Colorado Springs, Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (WI) endorsed the view that states -- like Colorado -- should be able to decide their own laws on medical marijuana.

Anchor Eric Singer asked Ryan, "In Colorado we have medical marijuana. Under a Romney Ryan ticket, what happens?" Ryan replied, "It's up to Coloradans to decide."

In response to a follow-up question from Singer, Ryan elaborated: "My personal positions on this issue have been let the states decide what to do with these things. This is something that is not a high priority of ours as to whether or not we go down this issue. But I've always believed is the states should make the right to decide."

Though Singer tells Ryan that the Republican Party Platform is opposed to marijuana legalization, the 2012 platform approved last week actually makes no mention of marijuana policy. In July, though, Ryan's running mate presidential candidate Mitt Romney told voters that he is opposed to medical marijuana because marijuana is "the starter drug" and because he views medical marijuana legalization as a means to achieve overall legalization. Romney promised to fight any legalization "tooth and nail."

Watch the video, which first aired on KRDO on September 8, 2012, below: