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Washington Governor: 'We Got the Best Weed in the United States'

Appearing on "Real Time with Bill Maher," Jay Inslee gave one of the most glowing reviews from a governor of the marijuana industry.

bill-maher
Panelists on the HBO series, from left to right, talk to host Bill Maher, center right: Alex Wagner, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Michael Avenatti.
(YouTube/Real Time with Bill Maher)
In his TV appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last Friday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joked about the quality of his state’s bud.

“I can honestly say we got the best weed in the United States of America,” he joked with the talk show host. “It’s a growing industry, and it’s well-regulated.”

 
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if the first time Donald Trump said something that was actually true, if he said he'd leave us alone on our marijuana decriminalization?" Watch Gov. @JayInslee on last night's #RTOvertime: 420 Edition. pic.twitter.com/6J9oxEKJEU — Real Time (@RealTimers) April 21, 2018
 
Inslee, who leads one of nine states that have legalized recreational use of marijuana, also spoke out against the Trump administration's recent crackdown on marijuana laws. Earlier this year, Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded a policy that encouraged federal prosecutors not to go after people and businesses where the substance is legalized for medical or recreational use. 

“We need to make sure that they back off,” he said on the HBO show. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the first time Donald Trump said something that was actually true -- if he said he would leave us alone on our marijuana decriminalization? And I hope that will occur.”

Inslee’s comments stand in contrast to those of some other governors of states where marijuana is legalized.

Last year, when Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper appeared on NPR’s "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!," the hosts repeatedly tried to goad him into making jokes about his state’s marijuana policies -- but the governor refused to bite.

In recent governor’s races, marijuana has been a focal point of the debate. As of January this year, a full 61 percentof Americans say the drug should be legalized.

&nbs; This story has been updated to correct the name of the NPR program on which Gov. Hickenlooper appeared.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.