Colbert Mocks Mich. Legislator's 'Pot For Potholes' Plan
LANSING (CBS Detroit) - Mid-Michigan Republican Rep. Mike Callton's proposal to fix state roads and bridges with funds from a marijuana tax didn't get far in the state legislature.
However, the plan did get a shout-out from faux pundit, comedian Stephen Colbert, on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," Tuesday night. (The Michigan mention begins at 2:22).
"Folks, it's not enough that pot is no longer bad for us. The dope pushers are now trying to tell us it's the solution for all our fiscal problems," said Colbert, "like the Michigan state lawmaker who's proposing to legalize and tax and tax marijuana to boost funding for road repair, in a plan supporters call 'pot for potholes.'
"Yeah, maybe that would work — but, once they fix every pothole, what do you think they'll legalize to fix every crack?" asked Colbert, as an image of a crack pipe appeared to his left.
After voters approved Proposal 1 in 2008, Michigan became the 13th U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana in April 2009. Now four years later, questions still remain surrounding distribution.
Currently, there is no plan to fix Michigan's crumbling highway infrastructure after Gov. Rick Snyder backed off his call for a gas tax hike to fund repairs.
