Where do the candidates in the 2016 U.S. election stand on cannabis?

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul makes headlines in Denver by becoming the first presidential candidate to raise funds with the legal cannabis industry.

Which led us to ask what the main candidates in the 2016 US election thought of the legalization of cannabis in the United States. Not all of them have ruled, but most have already expressed their views on the subject. Here's what we know so far.

• Candidates for legalization
• Go first, if, if, if I insist
• Not in my house, but why not in yours?
• Candidates against legalization

For legalization

Rand Paul

The Republican Senator has the highest rating in the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington lobbying group, for its support of the bill allowing states to set their own medical marijuana policies. He also supported efforts to reduce criminal penalties for those arrested for marijuana use or possession.

He hasn't officially taken a position on marijuana legalization in his campaign, but isn't shy about denouncing the «hypocritical» statures of other candidates like Jeb Bush. He did, however, speak out after his fundraiser with the marijuana industry: «I think I see it a little bit more from a federal perspective. And I think the federal government should stay out of it.

Go first, I insist!

Bernie Sanders

The Vermont Senator, running with the Democrats, hasn't yet endorsed legalization, but imagines doing so. In a recent interview with Time Magazine, Sanders praises his history of support for medical marijuana and decriminalization. He says he can't recall a single person being arrested for marijuana use while he was mayor of Burlington, a small student town near the University of Vermont.

However, Sanders asked for time to flesh out his position on legal marijuana in a AMA in May. «Colorado has taken the lead on marijuana legalization. I'm going to take a very close look at the pluses and minuses of their action. I'll have more to say on the subject in the coming months.»

Hillary Clinton

During her run for the Democratic nomination in 2007, Hillary said she supported research into medical marijuana, but opposed reducing penalties for cannabis use.

Eight years later, her position has reversed. She is now skeptical that marijuana works like medicine, and is interested in the results of legalization.

«The states are a laboratory for democracy. We have two states experimenting with legal cannabis. I'm waiting to draw conclusions.»

Not in my house, but why not in yours?

Jeb Bush

The former Republican governor of Florida has admitted to using cannabis in high school, but says he deeply regrets it. His position on cannabis legalization in Colorado is similar: it happened, but he'd rather it didn't.

He hasn't always been soft on marijuana. In 2014, he opposed a grassroots initiative to allow medical cannabis in Florida. He was also a board member of Drug Free America, an NGO with a long history of blocking legalization.

Ted Cruz

Last year, Ted Cruz , Republican senator from Texas, strongly criticized President Obama for letting Colorado and Washington legalize marijuana. He seems to have sided with Jeb Bush, declaring «if the citizens of Colorado decide to go that route, that's their prerogative».

Marco Rubio

Florida's Republican senator opposes all forms of legal marijuana, but could conceivably support medical marijuana as long as it has no psychotropic effects. He takes the same line of defense as his fellow Republicans: «leave it to the states».

Mike Huckabee

The former Republican governor of Arkansas opposed legalization in his state. However, he believes that states have the right to legalize without federal intervention.

That said, he said in essence: if Colorado makes money, great. «But if on the other side you have people who don't show up to work and stay high half the time, if you have kids who end up eating what they thought was a cookie, [...] maybe other states will back off and say thank you to Colorado for stopping them from making a decision that ultimately doesn't really work.»

Note that it is much less critical of gun control, despite the daily human damage.

Rick Perry

The former Texas governor is a long-time advocate of the right of the state to determine policies on cannabis, gay marriage or abortion. «These decisions should be made by the states. I defend Colorado's right to be wrong.»

Martin O'Malley

O'Malley signed bills decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana and created a medical marijuana program when he was governor of Maryland. On the other hand, he was uncertain about recreational cannabis: «I'm not too much in favor of it. We've seen what drug addiction causes in our state, in our city.»

Scott Walker

Wisconsin's Republican governor supports the right of other states to legalize marijuana, but still isn't ready for it to happen at home. He has supported non-psychoactive medical treatments for children.

He didn't support any arguments for legalization, and says cannabis is a gateway drug to hard drugs and doesn't compare it to alcohol at all. «Some people abuse alcohol, I have no doubt. But there's a big difference between drinking beer and smoking marijuana,» he told Capital Times.

Ben Carson

The former neurosurgeon won a poll at a Conservative summit in Denver last week, without ever mentioning his position on marijuana. Which was probably wise in a city that's very open on the subject.

He considers marijuana a gateway drug, and offers feverish support for medical marijuana use. He told Fox News that marijuana «tended to become a gateway drug for people who then turned to harder drugs - some legal, some illegal - and I don't think that's something we want for our society».

John Kasich

Despite the rhyme with hashish, Ohio Governor John Kasich is pretty clear on the subject: he doesn't want marijuana in his state, or any other. But he does intend for the decision to be made at the state level.

Against legalization

Donald Trump

The famous businessman has turned his back on the subject. Until the 1990s, he proclaimed loud and clear that legalization was the key to winning the war on drugs.

Today, he's not exactly happy that every citizen of Colorado can burn a little pep. He clearly states that he doesn't support the right of states to manage the legalization of marijuana. And he's as precise as ever in his statements: »If they vote for it, they vote for it. But they have serious problems in Colorado right now, big problems.» We're still waiting to find out what they are.

Bobby Jindal

Louisiana's Republican governor isn't just against marijuana on a personal level. He believes that states should not have the right to disobey federal laws in their drug policies.

He offered a limited support for medical marijuana, with severe restrictions.

Chris Christie

The Republican governor of New Jersey has never changed his position on legalization: he's against it, whether it's medical or recreational.

Asked if he would restore federal prohibition if elected president, he simply answered yes, justifying himself, «I think there are probably a lot of people in Colorado who aren't thrilled with what's going on there.»