|
Tom Wolf on Drugs
|
|
|
Establish state medical marijuana program
Excerpts from legislation: - Scientific evidence suggests that medical marijuana is one potential therapy that may mitigate suffering in some patients and also enhance quality of life.
- Regulating the program which allows access to
medical marijuana will enhance patient safety while research into its effectiveness continues.
- It is the intent of the general assembly to provide a program of access to medical marijuana which balances the need of patients with the need to promote
patient safety.
- The program to provide access to medical marijuana serve as a temporary measure, pending federal approval of and access to medical marijuana through traditional medical and pharmaceutical avenues.
Legislative outcome: Rep. Evans voted YEA; bill passed House, 149-43-8 on March 16; bill passed Senate, 42-7-1 on May 12; signed by Governor Tom Wolf on April 17
Source: Pennsylvania legislative voting records: SB 3
, Apr 17, 2016
Establish statewide medical marijuana program
Legislative Summary: Establishing a medical marijuana program; providing for patient and caregiver certification and for medical marijuana organization registration; providing for a tax on medical marijuana gross receipts; and establishing
the medical marijuana advisory board & research program.Legislative Outcome:Passed House 149-43-8 on March 16; passed Senate 40-7 on May 12; signed by Gov. Wolf on April 17
Source: Pennsylvania Legislative voting records on SB3
, Apr 17, 2016
Signed Medical Marijuana Act
On March 16, 2016, the House voted in support of an amended version of SB 3, the Medical Marijuana bill. The Senate then made minor technical amendments to the bill and, on April 12, voted to send the updated version
back to the House for concurrence. The bill passed 42-7.On April 17, 2016, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the Medical Marijuana Act into law, making Pennsylvania the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana.
Source: Marijuana Policy Project on Pennsylvania voting records
, Apr 17, 2016
Opioid epidemic has stolen the futures of far too many
There's no better illustration of the different approach than the steps we've taken together to address the public health crisis of heroin and opioid abuse. This epidemic has stolen the futures of far too many of our fellow Pennsylvanians. The numbers
are simply staggering.We armed law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on those who profit from this crisis by preying on our most vulnerable citizens. And we equipped police and first responders with naloxone, a life-saving opioid
overdose antidote, allowing them to reverse more than 2,300 opioid overdoses so far. We destroyed more than 100,000 pounds of unused and unwanted prescription drugs before they could fall into the wrong hands, and we redesigned the Prescription Drug
Monitoring Program so that medical professionals can monitor patients and identify those who may be at risk. We've taken our campaign against opioids to devoting more than $20 million to expanding treatment options.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Pennsylvania Legislature
, Feb 7, 2016
Study states with legal marijuana sales before deciding
All four candidates would sign legislation to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. They also broadly agree there should be changes in arrests for marijuana possession. Wolf supports decriminalizing possession of under an ounce of marijuana.
McGinty and Schwartz say they oppose the legalization of marijuana sales. McCord and Wolf say before deciding whether to support legalizing marijuana sales, they want to study the experience of states where it's legal.
Source: Washington Times on 2014 Pennsylvania governor race
, May 17, 2014
Legalize medicinal marijuana & decriminalize one ounce
All four Democratic candidates would sign legislation to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. They also broadly agree there should be changes in arrests for marijuana possession.
Specifically, McGinty says she supports decriminalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Schwartz would support legislation "to reduce the criminalization" of simple marijuana possession.
Wolf supports decriminalizing possession of under an ounce of marijuana.McGinty and Schwartz say they oppose the legalization of marijuana sales.
McCord and Wolf say before deciding whether to support legalizing marijuana sales, they want to study the experience of states where it's legal.
Source: The Patriot News on 2014 Pennsylvania governor debate
, May 10, 2014
Rated B+ by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance.
Wolf scores B+ by the NORML on drug reform
OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:
- C-/D/F: "hard-on-drugs" stance (approx. 243 members)
- C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
- A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 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 16_NORML on Nov 8, 2016