Dannel Malloy won't decriminalise pot for tax purposes

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, D-Conn., said Sunday it "doesn't make sense" to decriminalize marijuana for increased tax revenue. "We decriminalized small amounts, but we didn't legalize. And ... we have moved forward with medical marijuana and I think that's about as far as we go," he said in an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." "I don't think tax revenue should have anything to do with the discussion about whether you legalize marijuana, quite frankly. They are two distinct issues." "Let's not be enticed down that road because of money. It just doesn't make sense," he added. Also appearing on the show were Govs. Mike Pence, R-Ind., Rick Perry, R-Texas, and Jay Nixon, D-Mo. They all said they didn't support the legalization of marijuana, though Perry said adjusting the penalties for criminal use of the drug has helped lower prison populations in Texas. "The idea that a kid has one marijuana cigarette and you send had him to prison where they can learn to really be a hardened criminal is not thoughtful public policy," he said.