State of Arizona Archives: on Drugs


Ann Kirkpatrick: Protect state marijuana laws from federal interference

Incumbent Sen. John McCain (R) hasn't taken action to advance marijuana policy reform, though he did say at one point in response to a voter's question that, "Maybe we should legalize. We're certainly moving that way as far as marijuana is concerned."

Democratic opponent Ann Kirkpatrick, on the other hand, voted on at least two occasions for amendments to protect state medical marijuana laws from federal interference. She also voted for a broader amendment to prevent the Department of Justice from interfering with any state marijuana laws, including ones that legalize recreational use. However, she also sponsored two versions of legislation to prevent people from using or withdrawing food stamp benefits at marijuana dispensaries.

Source: Marijuana.com on 2016 Arizona Senate race Jun 13, 2016

David Garcia: Decriminalize marijuana use & possession

Q: Legalize or decriminalize legalize marijuana?

Doug Ducey (R): No. Opposes recreational legalization. Campaigned heavily to defeat a ballot measure supporting adult use.

David Garcia (D): Expand medical marijuana & decriminalize marijuana use & possession.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Arizona Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Debbie Lesko: Legalization of pot will only hurt our children

Q: Do you support medical marijuana or any form of legalization?

A: No, I do not support the legalization of marijuana. We have a problem now with drug abuse. There is no reason to create an environment that will lead to more harm to our community and children.

Source: BIPAC.net on 2018 Arizona 8th District House race Jul 2, 2018

Deedra Abboud: Leave legalization to the voter

Arizona, like many states, has passed voter referendums allowing for legal medical cannabis distribution. Some states have gone further to allow access to cannabis by the adult population at large.

Citizens and states have clearly mandated the desire for cannabis to be an issue better left to the discretion of each state.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

Deedra Abboud: Let states make their own cannabis decisions

Arizona, like many states, has passed voter referendums allowing for legal medical cannabis distribution. Some states have gone further to allow access to cannabis by the adult population at large. Citizens and states have clearly mandated the desire for cannabis to be an issue better left to the discretion of each state.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

Deedra Abboud: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?

A: Oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Doug Ducey: Ramp up border patrol to end drug importation

In September, we created the Border Strike Force Bureau, a partnership between local, state and federal law enforcement that's providing a force multiplier in the fight against drug cartels and border crime.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Arizona legislature Jan 11, 2016

Doug Ducey: Drug addiction is an epidemic plaguing our entire country

Many of our citizens have found themselves struggling because of an epidemic plaguing our entire country--drug addiction. It's a problem that knows no bounds. It effects men and women; young and old; rich and poor.

We've started to address it in a serious way. Cracking down on doc shopping. Providing better treatment options. Limiting first fills on opioids.

We also need to make sure a second chance actually is a second chance. Vivitrol has been called a "Miracle Drug"--blocking heroin and painkiller addictions, even alcoholism, and allowing millions of Americans to gain their lives back. This morning I signed an Executive Order so that people leaving our prison system have the opportunity to be treated with this blocker, to maximize their success of never ever going back. Chances are addiction, in some form, has touched the lives of everyone here today.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature Jan 9, 2017

Doug Ducey: Crack down on drunk/drugged drivers

Those reckless enough to put lives on the line by driving the wrong-way on our highways, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, should face a felony conviction and prison time. No exceptions. And if you break the law, our troopers will have their sights set on you, because we're targeting even more efforts here: An enhanced "Wrong-Way Driver Night Watch," with resources to match. We're going to zero-in on these criminals, with the goal of stopping these accidents and saving lives.
Source: 2018 Arizona State of the State address Jan 8, 2018

Doug Ducey: Opposes recreational legalization of marijuana

Q: Legalize or decriminalize legalize marijuana?

Doug Ducey (R): No. Opposes recreational legalization. Campaigned heavily to defeat a ballot measure supporting adult use.

David Garcia (D): Expand medical marijuana & decriminalize marijuana use & possession.

Source: CampusElect 2018: Arizona legislative voting records Oct 9, 2018

Doug Marks: Drug prohibition should all end

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?

A: No, All prohibition needs to end

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

Fred DuVal: Follow the will of the voters on recreational marijuana use

Q: If the public votes to support recreational marijuana use--as Governor, will you?

A: Colorado and Washington have given the rest of the country an opportunity to see how the experiment with legalized recreational marijuana use works. As governor, if the public votes to support recreational marijuana use, I'll follow the will of the voters, but make sure that it is implemented responsibly in order to protect children and public safety.

Source: KSAZ Fox 10 Phoenix on 2014 Arizona governor race Jul 28, 2014

Joe Arpaio: Fight drug trafficking around the world

Arpaio built a federal law enforcement career and a reputation for fighting crime and drug trafficking around the world. He began his career as a federal narcotics agent, establishing a stellar record in infiltrating drug organizations from Turkey to the Middle East to Mexico, Central, and South America to cities around the U.S. His expertise and success led him to top management positions with the U.S. DEA. He concluded his remarkable federal career as head of the DEA for Arizona.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website www.MCSO.org Aug 26, 2016

Joe Arpaio: Wall on U.S. Southern border will keep the drugs out

Former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio told Newsmax TV that he remained a strong supporter of a wall on the Southern U.S. border to stop illegal immigration, especially because "where do you think all the drugs are coming from?"

"Nobody talks about the drugs except our president," Arpaio, who was pardoned last month by President Donald Trump of federal contempt charges, told host Wayne Allyn Root in an interview. "When he was campaigning, he brought that out, the drug traffic.

Source: Newsmax on 2018 Arizona Senate race Sep 8, 2017

Kari Lake: Claimed that teacher's movement supported pot legalization

Like that time in 2018 when she announced that the teachers' Red for Ed movement was really a front for legalizing marijuana. Her source: a photo of a green T-shirt with the hashtag #GreenForEd. "What did I say?! #RedForEd is nothing more than a push to legalize pot," she tweeted. "Check this out. T-Shirts are already printed!! This is a big push to legalize pot and to make it more savory by tossing teachers a bone with a substantial raise. #IHateTheDishonesty"
Source: The Arizona Republic on 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial race Jun 1, 2021

Kelli Ward: Open borders have caused the avalanche of drugs into U.S.

Open borders have allowed drugs and gangs to pour into our most vulnerable communities. They have allowed millions of low-wage workers to compete for jobs and wages against the poorest Americans. Most tragically, they have caused the loss of many innocent lives.
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 Arizona Senate race

Kyrsten Sinema: Decriminalize marijuana possession