Travel writer Rick Steves pushing for marijuana legalization

Rick Steves (Photo by CarlosManzanoPHOTOs – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rick_Steves_On_The_Record.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0)

PRINCETON, N.J. — Travel writer Rick Steves’ most recent trip on Wednesday happened far from Europe and was focused on helping people in New Jersey get high.

The public TV host came to Princeton as part of a regional tour to advocate for legalizing and regulating marijuana. A long-time supporter of overhauling drug laws, he was a sponsor of the ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana use for adults in Washington state in 2012. He also is a board member of the marijuana law reform group NORML.

Steves said adults in New Jersey deserve the “civil liberty” of enjoying marijuana use. His trip comes as Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy is pushing for decriminalization and legalization in the state.

Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana.

Steves operates Rick Steves’ Europe, based in Washington state, producing guidebooks on European travel. He also hosts a public television series.

He’ll be visiting Delaware, Maryland and Vermont as part of the effort.