Joseph Lieberman on Drugs Democratic Jr Senator (CT), ran for V.P. with Gore, ran for president 2004

Apologizes for never having smoked marijuana

"Yes," said John Kerry, leading off. "Yes," said John Edwards . "Yes," said Howard Dean. None of these three baby-boomer candidates said anything beyond their short, declarative affirmations. None followed with a hurried explanation that it was just a few times, that it was some kind of "youthful indiscretion," or that he didn't inhale. The implication of their answers seemed to be, "Yeah, so what?"

In fact, the defensive answers tended to come from those replying in the negative. "No," said Dennis Kucinich. "But I think it ought to be decriminalized."

"I grew up in the church," said Al Sharpton. "We didn't believe in that."

"I have a reputation for giving unpopular answers," said Joe Lieberman. "I never used marijuana. Sorry!"

In the next day's news coverage, the admissions of marijuana smoking were largely ignored.

Increased penalties for drug offenses

Lieberman’s voting record on drug-related issues:
• Voted YES to increase penalties on certain drug-related crimes. (S.625 11/10/1999)
• Vote IN FAVOR of an amendment that would increase funding for state juvenile court systems and establish juvenile drug courts. (S.254, 5/12/1999)
• Vote YES to authorize funds for anti-drug programs and would prohibit federal funding of needle exchange programs. (S.1415 6/9/1998)

Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses.

Voted NO on spending international development funds on drug control.