Pat Robertson: Pot should be legal like alcohol

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol because the government's war on drugs has failed.

The outspoken evangelical Christian says he has never smoked marijuana, and he is not encouraging it. But he says the war on drugs is costing taxpayers billions of dollars and people should not be sent to prison for marijuana possession.

Robertson's support for legalizing pot appeared in a New York Times story published Thursday. His spokesman confirmed to AP that Robertson supports legalization with regulation. Robertson was not made available for an interview.

Robertson in 2010 called for ending mandatory prison sentences for marijuana possession convictions.

Robertson hosts "The 700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network.