Congressman Jared Polis (D-Colo.) seems tailor-made for Reddit. He’s gay. He’s one of just a handful in Congress to sign the Declaration of Internet Freedom. He plays computer games. And he supports nationwide marijuana legalization, representing one of the few states where it’s already legal.
For his third Ask Me Anything session with redditors, oddly scheduled for the night of President Obama’s State of the Union address, Polis was cordial and happy to talk pot, politics, gay elected officials, and that one redditor who used to date his cousin.
Can you please throw in a small amendment making it legal to punch people who would insist on posting their stupid “I’m so high because it’s legal” statuses and photos? (pedantic_dullard)
Yes. Truly folks, this does NOT help the cause
What moneyed interests are blocking real progress on marijuana legalization? (Salacious-)
the law enforcement industrial complex.
All those on the gravy train of the drug war which means parts of law enforcement and their private sector vendors.
This is @19natey6! I was curious to see if you actually run your Twitter account, or if I have been foolishly tweeting your intern. My friends make fun of my tweets to you, and I would love to prove them wrong! (LtJimmyCross)
yeah you’re my buddy on twitter. Of course it’s me. I would fire an intern for impersonating me!
Tell your friends I’m real, I remember giving you a restaurant recommendation once did u go?
Amsterdam Falafelshop! It was amazing! (LtJimmyCross)
Glad you tried it, I went there again two weeks ago. Hope you enjoyed DC!
Certain municipalities in Colorado are attempting to keep marijuana illegal in their jurisdictions. Some still write tickets for marijuana paraphernalia, accessories explicitly legalized in the state constitution. What can be done to see that these municipalities respect the will of the voters of Colorado? (hubert1504)
The will of the voters (Amendment 64) leaves it up to counties and cities how to regulate marijuana. I fully expect that many counties and cities will retain or enact bans. That is entirely their choice. The answer is to elect a different city council if you don’t like their decisions.
Just as when federal prohibition ended for alcohol, many counties remaind “dry” and there are dry counties to this day.
Hi! I’m one of your constituents. I have a super important question for you: What’s your Summoner name in League of Legends? (LucubrateIsh)
private msg me with yours and I’ll friend u
Bill Gates said on reddit not too long ago “Higher is better.” Do you agree with his statement sir ? (Hellshield)
Much of my district is more than 5,000 feet above sea level and I also represent mountains that are well over 10,000 feet.
Do you get tired of hearing how rich you are? (bizzle6)
How rich I am, how gay I am, how Jewish I am, how handsome I am (well, maybe not so much that last one).
I am fine with my identities of course (one has to get used to things). I always try not to judge people or assume things because of their identities. Someone’s wealth, sexual orientation, etc says nothing about whether they are a good person or not.
What do you think of the record numbers of LGBT members of this congress (of which you are a member)? Will Steve King and Michelle Bachmann willingly go within 15 feet of you? (interstate73)
Yeah it’s really exciting. We have six out LGBT House members now and one in the Senate. I think there will be more and more. I get along fine with Bachmann and King. I mean I haven’t made out with them or anything, but we get along just fine.
I dated Shari for almost 5 years. How’s she doing? (neuromanced)
u dated my cousin Shari? she’s great, they have two kids
What’s your favorite thing about being a Congressman? (777Iamnumber4)
The private planes, congressional yacht, private country club…. J/K (we have none of those things FYI)
My favorite thing is being able to make a difference on an issue. I helped delay SOPA which led to ya’ll helping finally kill it. That felt really good.
think your actually a redditor who happens to be a congressman. (thestupids)
yeah pretty much
Photo via @jaredpolis/Twitter
