Video: Miss Iowa opposes and supports recreational marijuana at same time

Beauty pageants have discovered that one surefire way of getting publicity is to have a judge ask a contestant about marijuana -- and then wait for her to say something dopey, as it were. In December, Miss Universe talked pot in an amusing way that made headlines. And now, Miss...

By Michael Roberts

January 15, 2013

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Beauty pageants have discovered that one surefire way of getting publicity is to have a judge ask a contestant about marijuana -- and then wait for her to say something dopey, as it were. In December, Miss Universe talked pot in an amusing way that made headlines. And now, Miss Iowa, a Miss America hopeful, has offered so confusing a take on the subject that she would have been better off advocating world peace and racing off-stage. Videos below.

As our Sam Levin reported a couple of weeks back, newly crowned Miss Universe Olivia Culpo responded to a question about marijuana by advocating medical marijuana while arguing that recreational weed "will slow things down."

Here's her full quote....

I think that...marijuana for medical purposes is understandable, but I don't think that it should be legalized for recreational purposes, because it's been proven to prevent people from their full potential. And I don't think that's a good thing for society. If we're trying to move things forward, a drug like marijuana does the opposite. It will slow things down. And once again, for medical purposes I think it's great, but for everyday, no.

...and here's a video of her profound analysis:

Following in these proud footsteps, Miss Iowa -- whose name is (no, we're not making this up) Mariah Cary -- was quizzed about cannabis as part of this weekend's Miss America pageant. For the first part of her response, she echoed Culpo's support for MMJ, saying, "I personally know people who have had to go to medical marijuana for their last resort, for their health care and I completely agree with that."

But she got lost in the weeds, literally and figuratively, when it came to recreational use of marijuana, declaring, "I don't think it should be used for anything but recreational use and health care."

What's that leave? Smoking on the job?

Shockingly enough, Ms. Cary didn't win the pageant; Mallory Hagan, Miss New York, took the crown and scepter. But bet Miss Iowa's time on stage will be remembered longer. Look below to check out her big moment.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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