Drug Use Debated as Candidate is Parodied in Youtube Video

In the battle for the GOP nomination for Connecticut's 4th District, it appears Rick Torres is intent on challenging one of his opponents' character as much as his stance on the issues.

At the center of controversy is a video link posted on YouTube called "Reefer Rob" by user harryrockwell88 (see embedded video or click on the live link). The video lampoons Rob Merkle's arrest 10 years ago for marijuana possession and comes as Torres also has drawn attention to Merkle's Connecticut voting record.

Merkle said the video, which shows clips of people smoking marijuana interspersed with pictures of him, borders on libel. He also said it is hypocritical for Torres to focus on this issue since Torres wants to legalize drugs.

"He needs to look at his own record and his own arrest record," Merkle said referring to Torres' arrest for bad checks. Both cases were thrown out.

Merkle alleges that Torres disseminated the video, which first appeared on YouTube about a week ago.

Torres, who is running in the Aug. 10 Republican primary against Merkle and Dan Debicella, said his campaign had nothing to do with the video, but he said he did forward it to several friends. The video, at last count, had some 1,500 views.

Although Torres said the drug issue distracts voters from more important topics such as jobs and taxes, it's important because it speaks to character.

"The deeper issue here is it's an issue of integrity," said Torres. "If you can't trust someone you can't vote for them. At the age of 32 this guy is smoking marijuana while his father is prosecuting people bringing drugs into this country."

Merkle was arrested 10 years ago on misdemeanor marijuana charges, something Merkle has never denied.  Indeed Merkle's campaign addressed the issue in an email blast to supporters more than a week ago. He confirmed it wasn't the first time he used marijuana but that he no longer uses it. The email also explained that Merkle was a first time offender and did the required community service.

While the legalization of marijuana isn't a priority for most Connecticut voters, it does cause debate.

"American citizens on the border states are dying every day due to drug violence and terrorists," said Merkle during a July 7 Town Hall meeting at the Wilton Library.

Yet, in spite of this, 44 percent of Americans favor legalizing marijuana, and 51 percent oppose it according to a CBS News poll conducted March 29 to April 1. Thirty years ago, just 27 percent of people thought marijuana use should be legalized.

The CBS news poll also found age determined one's views. While 54 percent of Americans under age 35 supported legalization, six in 10 Americans aged 65 and older oppose legalization.

Merkle has taken Torres to task for stance on drugs calling him a Libertarian.

In fact, Torres describes himself as a libertarian and said he is "quite tolerant of people with lifestyles where they smoke. But if you choose to have that lifestyle, you can't run for Congress."

Torres said he supports legalizing marijuana because "drug use has increased and we spend more and more on it [the war on drugs]. We need to re-analyze it."

Torres said he believes the Federal Government should step out and let marijuana use be regulated on a state-by-state basis.

According to the Torres for Congress website: "As a biochemist, I know the horrible effects dangerous drugs can have on people. As a Constitutionalist I also know what is in the purview of the Federal Government to regulate, and what is not. While I would never vote to legalize all drugs, I would support the decriminalization of Marijuana and allowing it to be regulated by separate states, just like alcohol is."

In some races nationwide there are Republicans advocating for legalization of marijuana. In Idaho pro-marijuana advocate Bob Ehrlich is the Republican nominee for Governor.

In addition, according to Pew Research Center for People and the Press, nearly 73 percent of Americans favor their state allowing sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes, if prescribed by a doctor. Support of medical marijuana spans major political and demographic groups.

The Stamford Advocate first broke the story of the video's release.