[Brookhaven]

There is a lot of libertarian in the Tea Party movement. Tea Party supports in general want the government to return to its consitutional role. That means:

1) smaller government
2) limited government

It’s very easy to make the case to a Tea Party supporter that drug laws are outside of the proper role of the federal government.

[outofsalt]

I would consider myself fully supportive of the TEA party as integral to the conservative movement. I worry that the republican party is alienating conservatives and that the media is using this to create friction within our ranks.

[Hokestuk]

Yes, the Tea Party seeks new ways of thinking about the old issues. The Tea Party does not think like the old guard establishment authoritarian Repubs. No way.
The Nanny Stater “conservatives” that want to continue the archaic 1930s policy should stand right with Bloomberg and the libs that want to ban soft drinks, smoking in your own residence, beef, fatty desserts, cars we like, on and on. So soft drinks are bad, but there’s freedom of choice, and education. So drugs are bad, but there is freedom of choice, and education. Personal responsibility, not govt, and fed control. At least leave it to the states to decide.
This is a lost unwinnable war. And in Portugal the evidence that legalization -reduced-, yes, REDUCED, addiction. It’s a nonsensical and stupid war unless your goal is to perpetuate the police state and swarming SWAT teams across this land.