The 2016 presidential candidates are discussing marijuana legalization in ways unimaginable less than a decade ago.

Candidates from both parties are accepting substantial donations from business owners and activists in the marijuana industry that hope to expanded marijuana legalization in the U.S. The marijuana industry also landed their first major candidate: Rand Paul.

In June, Paul became the first major-party presidential candidate to hold a fundraiser with the legalized marijuana industry, courting about 40 donors at the Denver event.

Politicians are slowly shifting towards a pro-marijuana stance. Democrats are often less critical of states legalizing marijuana, but they’re treading carefully. Hillary Clinton mentioned last year that more research needed to be done on marijuana’s medical value, but “there should be availability under appropriate circumstances.” She didn’t elaborate what those circumstances should be.

As for Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s main Democratic rival, he is wary of legalization, despite his liberal...