State of Wisconsin Archives: on Drugs

Leah Vukmir: Keep marijuana a Schedule 1 drug; no medical use

Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. Early supporter of medical. Sponsored bill to remove federal penalties & let states decide.

Leah Vukmir (R): No. Opposes recreational use & believes that "as a Schedule 1 drug. it has very little medical use."

Scott Walker: Opposes legalization of both medical & recreational use

Tony Evers (D): Legalize medical use. Determine recreational legalization through statewide referendum.

Scott Walker (R): No. Opposes legalization of both medical & recreational use, except cannabis-based oil for seizure patients.

Tammy Baldwin: Legalize medical marijuana; let states decide

Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. Early supporter of medical. Sponsored bill to remove federal penalties & let states decide.

Leah Vukmir (R): No. Opposes recreational use & believes that "as a Schedule 1 drug. it has very little medical use."

Tony Evers: Legalize medical use; referendum on recreational use

Tony Evers (D): Legalize medical use. Determine recreational legalization through statewide referendum.

Scott Walker (R): No. Opposes legalization of both medical & recreational use, except cannabis-based oil for seizure patients.

Leah Vukmir: Don't let our veterans down, like with opioids at Tomah VA

"Make no mistake about it: Tammy Baldwin let our veterans down at the Tomah VA," said Vukmir, a state senator from Brookfield. "To have sat on a report, to have been the only person in this congressional delegation to have known that a doctor was over-prescribing opioids, a veteran died and many others became addicted, to me, it's unconscionable."

The Tomah VA was wracked several years ago by a scandal involving over-prescription of opioids. Republicans accuse Baldwin of failing to act in 2015 on problems at the facility. Baldwin disciplined top aides for bungling whistleblower complaints about the facility, including sitting on an inspector general's report. Since then, Baldwin co-sponsored legislation that toughened opioid prescription guidelines and pushes education for VA providers.

Phil Anderson: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug

A: Oppose. Marijuana is a gateway drug ONLY insofar as the government forces people to deal with criminals to obtain it.

Kelda Helen Roys: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug

A: Oppose

Ron Johnson: Death penalty for drug dealers

(VIDEO CLIP): TRUMP: When I was in China and other places, I said, "Mr. President, do you have a drug problem?" "No, no, no, we do not." I said, "huh, big country, 1.4 billion people, right? Not much a drug problem." I said, "What do you attribute that to?" "Well, the death penalty." So, honestly, I don't know that the United States, frankly, is ready for it. They should be ready for it.

(END VIDEO) Q: Now, the death penalty for drug dealers, is that something that you agree with? And should we be following China's lead when it comes to criminal justice?

JOHNSON: I would say we probably should not be following China's lead when it comes to criminal justice. I'm a supporter of the death penalty, but only in those types of instances where we absolutely are 100% certain that the person is 100% guilty. I'm not sure it would be applicable to drug offenses.

Leah Vukmir: More law enforcement grants to prevent drug flow into WI

"As a member of Governor Walker's Task Force on Opioid Abuse, I am pleased to join my colleagues as we unveil legislation that builds on the Legislature's efforts to combat opioid abuse in Wisconsin," said Vukmir who has more than 20 years' experience as a nurse practitioner. "It is critical that our communities have the tools necessary to combat the rising problems that stem from heroin abuse."

The legislation focuses on providing law enforcement training grants targeted at preventing drug flow into Wisconsin, offers funding for programming to prevent substance abuse, and gives grants to counties for medical-assisted treatment. This legislation will strengthen our law enforcement efforts and save lives. Additionally, the bill creates regional drug prosecutors to assist local District Attorney's prosecuting drug crimes.

Kathleen Vinehout: 30% budget cuts but shift to drug addiction and recovery

Scott Walker: More drug testing for unemployment insurance applicants

Congress authorized the Labor Department to craft a rule that would provide states the option to drug test unemployment insurance applicants. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration drafted the rule too narrowly, undermining the intent of Congress and permitting drug testing in too few instances.

Drug testing UI applicants can help individuals suffering from substance abuse to access necessary care and treatment so they may re-enter the workforce as healthy and productive members of society. We believe this rule should be replaced with a new rule that allows increased flexibility for states to implement UI drug testing that best fits the needs of each state. We look forward to working with Congress on this issue going forward.

Ron Johnson: No federal legalization; but let's see how states do

Feingold: Voted earlier for lower drug sentences, but unclear position on legalization.

Johnson: Opposes recreational legalization, but open to seeing results in states that have approved it.

Ron Johnson: Unsecure Mexican border is a gateway for drug traffickers

[Ron Johnson said in his opening statement]: "America's borders are not secure. One key indicator is the fact that we are interdicting only 5% to 10% of illegal drugs crossing our southwest border. The declining price of heroin--from a nationwide average of $3,260 per gram of pure heroin in 1981 to $465 in 2012--is a metric that proves the point. Our unsecure Arizona-Mexico border has become a gateway for drug traffickers to distribute illicit drugs across the country."

Leah Vukmir: Opposes stronger penalties for drunk driving

The debate questions, presented by two panelists, covered a wide range of issues, including clean energy (he's for it, she's against it), high-speed rail (he's for it, she's against it) and stronger penalties for drunk driving (he's for them, she's against them).

Tommy Thompson: More resources to target meth production