Bernie Sanders jokes he didn’t use medical marijuana before tonight’s debate

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) cracked a joke during Tuesday’s 2020 Democratic debate that he didn’t use medical marijuana before getting on the stage after being asked about his health.

Sanders, who recently suffered a heart attack, was asked by a moderator about his health as part of a larger discussion about the age of a potential president.

The Vermont senator quickly tried to assure that he was in good health. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) interjected, noting that Sanders was in favor of medical marijuana use.

In response, Sanders joked that he was “not on it tonight.”

Here’s the full exchange:

“I’m healthy, I’m feeling great…,” Sanders said in response to the question about a president’s age.

“Senator Sanders is in favor of medical marijuana, I want to make sure that’s clear as well,” Booker said.

“That’s true. I’m not on it tonight,” Sanders said, smiling.

(Moderator tries to pivot from opioids/pot to Bernie’s health)

SANDERS: I’m healthy, I’m feeling great, but I would like to respond to that question.

BOOKER: Senator Sanders is in favor of medical marijuana, I want to make that clear.

SANDERS: I’m not on it tonight. pic.twitter.com/BBlyMcDcfD

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) October 16, 2019

The response from Sanders drew applause and laughter from the audience at the debate.

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