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Wolf On Recreational Pot: Yes To Decriminalizing, No To Legalizing

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is reiterating his position in favor of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana on a statewide basis, while saying he still can't support full legalization of recreational pot.

In an interview on Pittsburgh sister station KDKA Tuesday, Governor Wolf said he believes there are too many families being broken up and too many people being denied employment for what he characterizes as doing stupid things often while young. But that's as far as he will go.

"It's time, it seems to me, to reduce the severity of the crime of holding a small amount of marijuana," Wolf said. "I am not ready to support legalization, but I think we ought to decriminalize recreational marijuana."

As to those who say decriminalization is a step toward full legalization of recreational pot, the governor disagrees, saying he's not a believer in the 'slippery slope' argument. He says decriminalizing recreational marijuana won't lead to legalization anymore than allowing medical marijuana.

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