Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced support for President Joe Biden’s announcement to pardon federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana, marking a step toward the center as the Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania enters the final three weeks of his midterm campaign.
The Republican candidate and TV doctor said he supports the idea of clearing the records of those with marijuana possession charges, a rare point of agreement between Oz and Biden. The comments also walk back previous attacks Oz has issued toward his Democratic opponent, John Fetterman, for being too soft on crime.
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“Going to jail for marijuana is not a wise move for the country. I think folks who have used marijuana and that’s the only reason they’re in jail should not have those criminal — those rulings — held against them,” Oz told NBC News.
Oz also came out against mandatory minimum sentences for those who are charged with crimes, contrasting with Fetterman, who voiced support for applying those sentences in certain cases such as fentanyl dealings.
“I really think judges should be empowered to make the difficult decisions, and they generally do it well,” Oz said. “When we tie their hands by making laws at the federal level, it hinders their ability to do what needs to be done.”
The comments come as the candidates prepare for their lone debate on Oct. 25, when the two will face off for the first time before voters head to the polls in November. The debate has posed high stakes for Fetterman as he has largely avoided in-person interviews and extended interactions with voters since suffering a stroke days before the May primary.
The debate could help boost Oz’s election efforts as the Republican has worked to close in on Fetterman’s lead in the polls over the last several months. All major polls have shown Fetterman ahead of Oz, but recent polling suggests the race is tightening.
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Despite once holding a double-digit lead, Fetterman’s lead has shrunk to the low single digits in at least three public polls released at the beginning of October. As of Thursday, Fetterman holds an average 3.7 percentage point advantage overall over Oz, according to RealClearPolitics.
The race to replace retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has become one of the most high-profile Senate races of the midterm cycle as the winner is likely to help determine which party gains control of Congress.
