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Chris Dodd on DrugsDemocratic Sr Senator (CT) |
CLINTON: I believe we’ve got to decrease the disparity that exists. But I have problems with retroactivity.
DODD: I’d be inclined to say yes on the retroactivity.
EDWARDS: I’m not just inclined to say yes; the answer is yes, absolutely; it should be retroactive.
KUCINICH: Yes.
A: Certainly with medical use of marijuana, it ought to be allowed. And many states allow that today. I’ve strongly advocated that these states not be biased or prejudiced because they allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. And again, on allowing decriminalization, I strongly advocate as well. We’re cluttering up our prisons, frankly, when we draw distinctions.
BIDEN: Yes. I would ban--in all public [places], nationally.
DODD: 3,000 kids start smoking every day in this country.
RICHARDSON: I did it in New Mexico as a national law.
KUCINICH: You bet I’ll go for a national law.
Q: So Biden, Dodd, Richardson, Gravel and Kucinich in favor of a national law.
EDWARDS: Wait, wait, wait, and Edwards.
BIDEN: Absolutely no, I would not. The cost of alcoholism in America, the cost of accidents that flow from drunkenness, are astronomical.
DODD: No, I agree with Joe on this. The problems associated with alcohol are significant in our country. The evidence is overwhelming..
RICHARDSON: No, I wouldn’t lower it. I think you need a dual approach: strong law enforcement, but you also have to have substance abuse treatment.
GRAVEL: I think we should lower it. Anybody that can go fight and die for this country should be able to drink.
KUCINICH: Of course they should be able to drink at age 18, and they should be able to vote at age 16.
Q: No on 18?
OBAMA: No.
EDWARDS: What was the question?
Q: Lower the drinking age to 18?
EDWARDS: I would not.
A bill to target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.
Sponsor's introductory remarks: Sen. Biden: My bill will eliminate the current 100-to-1 disparity [between sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine] by increasing the 5-year mandatory minimum threshold quantity for crack cocaine to 500 grams, from 5 grams, and the 10-year threshold quantity to 5,000 grams, from 50 grams, while maintaining the current statutory mandatory minimum threshold quantities for powder cocaine. It will also eliminate the current 5-year mandatory minimum penalty for simple possession of crack cocaine, the only mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of a drug by a first time offender.
Drug use is a serious problem, and I have long supported strong antidrug legislation. But in addition to being tough, our drug laws should be rational and fair. My bill achieves the right balance. We have talked about the need to address this cocaine sentencing disparity for long enough. It is time to act.
Congressional Summary:
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Other candidates on Drugs: | Chris Dodd on other issues: |
Nominees:
GOP: Sen.John McCain GOP V.P.: Gov.Sarah Palin Democrat: Sen.Barack Obama Dem.V.P.: Sen.Joe Biden Third Parties: Constitution: Chuck Baldwin Libertarian: Rep.Bob Barr Constitution: Amb.Alan Keyes Liberation: Gloria La Riva Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Socialist: Brian Moore Independent: Ralph Nader |
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