Cynthia McKinney on Drugs

Green Party Presidential challenger (Former Rep., D, GA-4)

Legalize medical marijuana & needle exchanges

Q: Briefly state your position on the following issue: Drug Policy.

A: In 1999, I voted to oppose prohibiting needle exchange and medical marijuana in the District of Columbia. In September 2001, (in the early days following the 9-11- 2001 attacks) I voted in opposition to military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism.

Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008

End the war on drugs

Reconstruction Party Manifesto point #6. We Want an End to the War on Drugs Now!
We believe that the war on drugs provides cover for U.S. military intervention in foreign countries, particularly to our south, and that this increased militarization is used to put down all social protest movements in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and elsewhere. We believe that unequal justice is epitomized in the U.S. prosecution of the so-called War on Drugs. We believe that the United States has the most expensive, most repressive, least effective drug policy in the industrialized world. And it is this drug war that has helped the United States incarcerate a higher percentage of its own people than any other country in the world. We need an end to mandatory minimum drug sentences. We need to end the funding of Plan Colombia and Plan Mexico and other militarized "plans" enacted that fund and support a failed drug policy at home and abroad. Source: Manifesto for a Reconstruction Party Jan 26, 2008

CIA has admitted it was involved in drug-dealing

Drugs are used to block out the harsh realities. Removing those harsh realities and giving youth hope--with real jobs & a real future--would go a long way to addressing this scourge in our communities.

But it is impossible to address the issue of drugs without understanding who is responsible for bringing drugs into this country. The CIA has admitted it was involved in drug-dealing, but no one involved at the highest level of government has been punished. The wealthy and powerful bring in the drugs.

Source: Interview with "Reconstruction Renaissance" Jan 8, 2008

Detoxification & rehabilitation--not incarceration

U.S. prosecution of "the drug war" is pitiful. The victims are thrown into prisons, while the wealthy users and the big drug dealers get off scot-free. The rich who own stock in the prison-industrial complex, or the corporations that hire prison labor, are reaping hefty sums while everyone else is impoverished or families are ripped apart by imprisonment.

This situation is intolerable and must be turned around! We need money for detoxification, rehabilitation, education--not incarceration.

Source: Interview with "Reconstruction Renaissance" Jan 8, 2008

Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism.

Amendment to set up a task force on counter-terrorism and drug interdiction and allow military personnel to help patrol U.S. borders. Bill HR 2586 ; vote number 2001-356 on Sep 25, 2001

Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC.

Vote to pass a bill that provides $429.1 million in funds for the District of Columbia and approves the District's $6.8 billion budget. Among other provisions, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana. Reference: Bill sponsored by Istook, R-OK; Bill HR 3064 ; vote number 1999-504 on Oct 14, 1999

Rated +20 by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance.

McKinney scores +20 by the NORML on drug reform

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2006 NORML scores as follows:

-30 to -10: "hard-on-drugs" stance (approx. 228 members)
-9 to +9: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 37 members)
+10 to +30: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 109 members)

About NORML (from their website, www.norml.org):

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession & responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called "decriminalization."

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as "legalization."

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.

Source: NORML website 06n-NORML on Dec 31, 2006

Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for a profile of Cynthia McKinney. Click here for HouseMatch answers by Cynthia McKinney. Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinions on Drugs in The Forum. Click here for a summary of Cynthia McKinney's positions on all issues. Click here for issue positions of other GA politicians.
*Other candidates on Drugs:*		*Cynthia McKinney on other issues:*
*GA Gubernatorial:* Sonny Perdue *GA Senatorial:* Dale Cardwell Johnny Isakson Saxby Chambliss Democratic retirements & special elections: D,AL-5:Cramer D,CA-12:Lantos D,CO-2:Udall D,IN-7:Carson D,NY-21:McNulty D,ME-1:Allen D,MD-4:Wynn D,NM-3:Udall D,OR-5:Hooley *Republican special elections:* R,IL-14:Hastert R,LA-1:Jindal R,LA-6:Baker R,MS-1:Wicker R,OH-5:Gillmor	*Republican retirements:* R,AL-2:Everett R,AZ-1:Renzi R,CA-4:Doolittle R,CA-52:Hunter R,CO-6:Tancredo R,FL-15:Weldon R,IL-11:Weller R,IL-18:LaHood R,KY-2:Lewis R,LA-4:McCrery R,MD-1:Gilchrest R,MN-3:Ramstad R,MO-9:Hulshof R,MS-3:Pickering R,NJ-3:Saxton R,NJ-7:Ferguson R,NM-1:Wilson R,NM-2:Pearce R,NY-13:Fossella R,NY-25:Walsh R,NY-26:Reynolds R,OH-7:Hobson R,OH-15:Pryce R,OH-16:Regula R,PA-5:Peterson R,VA-11:Davis R,WY-0:Cubin	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty

Page last updated: Jul 04, 2008