DES MOINES - Five GOP candidates for governor weighed in on the state's smoking ban, casino gambling and medical marijuana during a forum Wednesday on the Drake University campus.

The candidates competing for the chance to take on Democratic Gov. Chet Culver complained about the smoking ban that went into effect last year and was signed into law by Culver.

Some of their harshest criticism was aimed at an exemption carved out by the Legislature that allows smoking on the gaming floors of casinos, while still banning smoking at bars, restaurants and other workplaces.

"This is a perfect example of why the legislative process is so broken and why the processes in Des Moines are so broken," said Cedar Rapids businessman Christian Fong, one of the candidates seeking the GOP nomination.

Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said he doesn't smoke, but thinks private property owners should be able to decide whether smoking is allowed.

"I think if we're going to be a party that talks about freedom, we need to represent freedom," Vander Plaats said.

Rep. Christopher Rants of Sioux City, who opposed the smoking ban, said if elected governor he'd choose to spend his "political capital" on issues besides repealing the ban.

"I would choose to spend my political capital on reducing Iowa's property tax burden, raising standards for our students, trying to create a better business climate so that we can put the 100,000 Iowans out of work back into gainful employment," Rants said.

The candidates also weighed on whether the state should allow more casinos to open in addition to the 17 state-licensed casinos and racetracks already operating. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission currently is accepting applications from communities hoping to open casinos.

"Frankly, I think we're already addicted enough to gambling," said Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone.

Rep. Rod Roberts, R-Carroll, questioned whether another licensed casino in the state would be wise considering the economic conditions.

"I certainly would not agree that that is a course of action that we should take in terms of raising revenue for the state's budget problems," Roberts said.

This week the Iowa Board of Pharmacy put the issue of medical marijuana in the spotlight, calling for public hearings on the issue.

But the possibility of allowing marijuana for medical use gained little traction with the GOP candidates. All five candidates in attendance said they would not support allowing medical marijuana use.

State Sen. Paul McKinley, a Republican from Chariton who is exploring a run for governor, did not attend Wednesday's event sponsored by IowaPolitics.com, Mediacom, Walmart and Drake University.