Rand Paul isnt his fathers son when it comes to drug legalization

With the recent death of Philip Seymour Hoffman from an apparent heroin overdose, the country's eyes are opening to the growing heroin epidemic in the country. And, interestingly, that national conversation has a tie to the 2016 presidential race.

Ron Paul, left, and his son Rand.

Let's start back in 2012. While running for president, Texas Rep. Ron Paul voicedsupport for the legalization of both prostitution and hard drugs including cocaine and heroin.If I leave it to the states, itll be up to the states. Up until this last century, for over a hundred years, they were legal, Paul declared.

Fast forward to today whereKentucky Senator Rand Paul, son of the former Texas congressman, is widely seen as a candidate for the GOP nomination in 2016, and is already facing questions about how much (or little) of his father's views he shares.

The younger Paul has long distanced himself from his fathers pro-legalization stances. While campaigning for his father, Rand defended the states-rights positions, but he has since made a point to note that he does not personally favor the legalization of drugs such as heroin and cocaine. He spent much of last year assuring conservatives -- who will be crucial in Iowa, New Hampshire and much of the heartland in 2016 -- that, when it came to drugs, he was on their side.

But much of the Paul brand is built on the backs of the Libertarian-leaning voters who buoyed his fathers presidential bids, and Pauls refusals in the past to voice support for state-level legalization has earned him some chiding from them.He has, however, charted out a fairly libertarian -- some might even argue, liberal -- position on drug sentencing reform, calling for the walk-back of federal mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

As 2016 inches closer, Paul may find himself increasingly tugged in two directions.Thus far, Paul has toed the line -- supporting sentencing reform that is considered by many essential to undoing the societal damage done by the war on drugs while deliberately staying far away from his fathers states rights crusades with regard to drugs.

Here's a more detailed look at Rand Paul on sentencing reform and legalization.

Sentencing reform

Sen. Paul has taken a vocal stance on reducing mandatory minimums for drug offenses and calling for sentencing reform -- stances that will earn him few friends in the tough-on-crime crowds but that endear him to criminal justice reform circles, moderates, and even some Democrats.

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Rand Paul isnt his fathers son when it comes to drug legalization