(Des Moines, IA) -- The lone Democratic candidate for Iowa Governor wants to legalize recreational marijuana.
"Treating marijuana the same way we treat alcohol. Right now, Iowans across the state are driving across state lines, giving their money to Illinois, giving their money to Minnesota, to get what they want. It's just kind of silly," said State Auditor Rob Sand to Jeff Angelo on WHO.
He says the revenue generated from legal cannabis could be used to address future state budget shortfalls. Tax revenue on marijuana sales generated about $460 million in Illinois alone last year. He says Iowa is losing millions of dollars in tax revenue to border states that already legalize marijuana.
"Alcohol and cannabis are both drugs; they both can do harm. At the same time, I don't want my tax dollars going to house and feed someone in prison for only the crime of using cannabis," said State Auditor Sand.
A 2022 University of Iowa poll showed over 50 percent of Iowa respondents favored the legalization of recreational marijuana. Sand announced his bid for governor in the 2026 election on Monday. Currently, he is the only statewide elected Democrat as State Auditor.