Steve Bullock on Drugs Democratic Presidential Challenger; MT Governor

Let the states decide on legalizing marijuana

TWO CANDIDATES HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS: John Delaney; Wayne Messam.

The federal government has generally taken a hands-off approach to enforcing federal marijuana laws in states that have authorized medical or recreational markets. But that informal policy could be reversed by any administration at any moment. That's why some candidates have endorsed allowing state-legal markets to operate without fear of punishment from the federal government.

Strongly supports medical marijuana

• Signed a bill to regulate Montana's medical cannabis industry. (2017)
• Opposed a Montana Supreme Court ruling that upheld strict regulations of the state's medical marijuana industry, saying, "I am concerned about the ability of thousands of patients with serious medical conditions to access a treatment that has been approved by their doctors." (2016)

Confront the invisible epidemic of prescription drug abuse

• Worked with law enforcement, doctors, pharmacists and educators to directly confront the invisible epidemic of prescription drug abuse--a contributing factor in the deaths of over 300 Montanans every year.
• Implemented monumental changes to the way we deal with repeat DUI offenders who cause carnage on our highways, burden our corrections system and cost taxpayers millions.

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

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)

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.