Federal judge endorses legal marijuana

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The debate to legalize marijuana has a new supporter, a U.S. Federal Judge who just announced that he's in favor of making pot legal.

Judge Juan Torruella told a law school audience Tuesday in Puerto Rico that he believes legalizing marijuana could reduce drug abuse and crime. He said the drug war has been "lost" at a high cost to society.

The 77-year old Puerto Rican native is on the Boston based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

22News asked students at UMass Amherst if they agree.

"I feel like the U.S. could make money off taxing it but on the other hand some people may take it too far," said Irina Jalon.

Drew Schwendenmann said, "I'd say legalization wouldn't be the worst thing. They spend so much money trying to fight against it when we're obviously not winning. We just dump more and more money into it."

Voters in Granby also got to weigh in on this debate. On Election Day, they were asked a non binding question that asked "Do you think marijuana should be bought and sold like alcohol?" Voters answered with a resounding yes vote.