Sen. Rand Paul hints in a new interview that he smoked marijuana in his youth, adding that voters should not confuse his push for reduced criminal penalties for drug offenses as an endorsement of drug use.
Asked about marijuana use, the Kentucky Republican tells WHAS-TV in Louisville that he "wasn't a choir boy" in college and "made mistakes when I was a kid."
Paul announced plans this week to seek re-election to the Senate in 2016. He's also actively exploring a run for president.
He added in the interview that drugs, including marijuana, are not good for people and said he did not want to be seen as advocating for drug use. Paul told the station he has focused his efforts on reducing criminal penalties for some nonviolent drug offenses.
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