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Pat Toomey on Drugs

Republican Jr Senator; previously Representative (PA-15)

 


Medical marijuana research yes; but state laws no

Incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey (R), while serving in the U.S. House, voted against a 2003 floor amendment to protect state medical marijuana laws from federal interference. But last June, he cheered an Obama administration move to remove a roadblock in the way of more medical cannabis research.

Democratic challenger Katie McGinty is a former chief of staff to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D), who recently signed a medical marijuana bill into law. For her own part, McGinty "supports legalizing medical marijuana and supports decriminalization," a spokesperson said this year. But in 2013, in response to a voter's question, she said, "I am not for legalization of marijuana." In the same appearance, however, McGlinty also said she opposed even medical cannabis, so it's possible that her position on full legalization will similarly evolve.

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

Voted YES 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 YES 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 D by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance.

Toomey scores D by the NORML on drug reform

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:

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

2017-18 Governor, House and Senate candidates on Drugs: Pat Toomey on other issues:
PA Gubernatorial:
Allyson Schwartz
John Fetterman
Ken Krawchuk
Mark Critz
Michael Nutter
Scott Wagner
Tom Corbett
Tom Wolf
PA Senatorial:
Bob Casey
Everett Stern
Jim Christiana
Joe Sestak
John Fetterman
Katie McGinty
Lou Barletta
Rick Saccone

Freshman class of 2019:
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* Special election, so sworn in other than Jan. 2019
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CA-39***:Kim
FL-6:Waltz ; FL-15:Spano ; FL-17:Steube
GA-7:Woodall
ID-1**:Fulcher
IN-4:Baird
IN-6:Pence
KS-2:Watkins
MN-1:Hagedorn ; MN-8:Stauber
MS-3:Guest
MT-0*:Gianforte
NC-9***:Harris
ND-a:Armstrong
NM-2***:Herrell
OH-12*:Balderson ; OH-16:Gonzalez
OK-1:Hern
PA-9:Meuser ; PA-11**:Smucker ; PA-12*:Keller ; PA-13:Joyce ; PA-14:Reschenthaler
SC-4:Timmons
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VA-5:Riggleman ; VA-6:Cline
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CA-49:Levin ; CA-10:Harder ; CA-21:Cox ; CA-25:Hill ; CA-39:Cisneros ; CA-45:Porter ; CA-48:Rouda
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SC-1:Cunningham
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Page last updated: Jan 13, 2021