Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

Sen. Rand Paul, who shouldn’t have a say in D.C. matters and yet does, is basically OK with the city legalizing marijuana, should the voters choose to do so today.

Paul, currently the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and the District of Columbia, told Roll Call in Bowling Green:

I’m not for having the federal government get involved. I really haven’t taken a stand on … the actual legalization. I haven’t really taken a stand on that, but I’m against the federal government telling them they can’t.”

That is not how our old friend, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, feels. He may introduce legislation to block legalization in D.C., as he did with decriminalization.

“I am grateful for the comments that Senator Paul made today about the District’s right to decide for itself the marijuana legalization initiative that the people put on the ballot,” Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said in a statement. “I am not surprised by the Senator’s support. Ever since he was elected to the Senate, I have regarded him as a potential ally for the notion that the federal government should not interfere with the democratic positions of any local jurisdiction. In fact, the federal government does not interfere with the laws of the states, territories, or localities, except for the District of Columbia. As Senator Paul has traveled the country speaking in detail about his views, I have grown even more encouraged. There can be no doubt that what the Senator has been saying is often consistent with our views that the federal government should not interfere with D.C.’s local affairs.”

D.C. voters today will likely pass Initiative 71, which would legalize marijuana for personal use. Like all of the city’s laws, Congress will review it.