Ex-Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) on Friday backed out of his bet to smoke pot if Colorado legalized the drug for recreational use, saying that going through with it would have set a bad example for his grandchildren.
The immigration hardliner had promised a promotional filmmaker that although he did not partake in drugs he would give marijuana a try if voters in the state passed Amendment 64, which was designed to legalize pot for recreational use. The measure passed in November, and Tancredo said this week he would make good on his promise.
But in an email posted Friday by Denver television station KUSA, Tancredo said he was going to “welch” on his bet.
From the email:
I am especially concerned that the publicity may cause my grandkids to have to justify my actions to their peers and afraid that no matter how many times I say I am NOT condoning the use of marijuana, that that message will not get through. My grandchildren are extremely precious to me and I would never want to do anything that puts them in a difficult situation.
(Photo credit: MATTHEW MITCHELL/UPI/Newscom)
